Jail for sex beast who tried to rape woman at Yorkshire beauty spot

A “TRULY chilling” attacker has been given an indeterminate prison sentence after sexually assaulting a woman who was walking her dog in broad daylight on a popular trail in South Yorkshire.

David Brian Thompson pounced on the 50-year-old slightly-built woman from behind and sexually assaulted her at lunchtime on June 24 last year, on the Trans-Pennine Trail in Elsecar, near Barnsley.

Sheffield Crown Court heard that the victim’s life had been “blighted” by the attack and she had also been suffering flashbacks.

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In court yesterday, Thompson, of Ash Grove, Rawmarsh, was handed an indeterminate prison sentence by judge Michael Murphy. The 48-year-old must serve at least four years before he is released.

The judge told Thompson: “This was a dreadful attack on a decent lady who was doing no more than taking her dog for a walk. I have no doubt that your attack on her was planned and premeditated.

“You had no reason to be there that day except to attack this unfortunate lady. It was not a spur of the moment offence.

“It seems to me you have an ability to lie and to evade reality that is truly chilling. You have obviously been able to convince many people of your innocence. “Fortunately the jury was not as easily taken in.”

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Steel worker Thompson had denied the charges throughout, claiming that he was with family at the time of the attack.

Sentencing him, the judge said: “She will never forget what you did to her that day.

“You pounced on her, you violated her and then you made off, leaving her where she was.

“That you felt so confident and so desperate to do it in this place poses a real concern on the danger you pose to women.

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“This particular offence required a degree of nerve and risk-taking that is truly frightening.”

The judge added that Thompson had shown “no contrition” during the trial.

He was arrested on October 29 last year, the day after an appeal was televised on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme and months after the attack took place.

Police said that although there was a “fantastic response” to the Crimewatch appeal, it was DNA genetic samples and mobile phone evidence that led to Thompson being caught.

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He had no previous convictions for sexual offences, although back in 1985 he was convicted of causing death by reckless driving.

However, his DNA was on the national database after he was arrested for a different offence and never convicted.

His DNA sample was a strong match with samples taken from the victim’s bra, forensic scientist James Chapman telling the court that there was a chance of just one in 230,000 that the sample had come from someone not related to Thompson.

Mobile phone analysis also placed him in the area at the time.

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Sheffield Crown Court previously heard that the victim thought a friend was playing a joke when she felt someone grab her from behind.

But then, when Thompson clamped his hand over her mouth, she screamed and tried to fight him off.

He then pulled down her clothing and performed a sex act before attempting to rape her.

Thompson fled, leaving his DNA on the victim’s bra.

After being caught, Thompson was initially charged with rape.

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That charge was then was changed halfway through the trial to attempted , as the victim was in “such shock” that she couldn’t be sure exactly what had taken place.

Mark George QC, for Thompson, told the court yesterday: “Mr Thompson has no relevant previous convictions, nor does there appear to be a pattern of worrying behaviour leading up to these matters.”

After the sentencing, Det Chief Insp Sean Middleton from South Yorkshire Police said: “I would like to commend the victim in this case, who has shown great bravery and fortitude. She has been supported by her loving family throughout.”