Life for York New Year sex attacker who punched victim unconscious

Billy Joe Craven, a 19-year-old chef, attacked his 25-year-old victim as she left a party, pulling her between two cars than then raining blows on her face and head until she was unconscious.

York Crown Court heard that Craven then partially stripped her and tried to rape her as he continued to violently attack her - punching her almost 30 times in just 20 minutes.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst, said the victim’s injuries, including multiple bone fractures, were so severe that she was unrecognisable.

The judge watched footage of the attack, which was captured on CCTV, commenting: “It is one of the most harrowing pieces of footage I have ever seen.”

He told Craven, of Chapelfields, York: “The sexual violence upon her was self-evidently degrading and the brutality of the violence puts this case in my judgement into an exceptionally serious category.”

Alan Mitcheson, prosecuting, told the court that Craven had been out celebrating with workmates after finishing their New Year’s Eve shift.

Two colleagues had warned him about his sexual overtures to their partners, but he persisted.

He left them at 3.45am and wandered round streets near his mother’s home until he came across the woman as she arrived outside her home.

Craven only ceased the horrific attack when he heard a passer-by calling the police, and ran off covered in her blood.

The passer-by gave chase but lost him in the maze of streets.

The victim, left lying on the ground, was found 30 minutes later suffering from hypothermia.

Craven later went to York Hospital, claiming to have been robbed, but his only injuries were grazed knuckles.

As he gave a witness statement to police, they arrested him because they had found his party hat and rucksack at the scene of the crime.

Mitigating, James Bourne-Arton said the attack had not been life-threatening or planned.

Craven pleaded guilty to sexual assault, attempted rape and causing grevious bodily harm with intent.

Judge Ashurst told him: “Your disturbed personality and history of sexual misbehaviour makes you dangerous to the public.”

He jailed him for life with a recommendation that he not be considered for parole for at least five years and seven months, and put on the sex offenders’ register for life.

He was also banned from working with children.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Costello, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “I am satisfied with the life sentence imposed and hope that it brings some comfort to the victim.

“This was a truly vicious attack and, in my 22 years’ police service, I have never seen anything more harrowing than the CCTV footage that captured the entire offence. The level of injuries sustained by the victim made her unrecognisable.

“Her injuries, both physically and psychologically, will require further treatment to aid her recovery. However, she has been extremely brave in how she continues to rebuild her personal and professional life.

“I hope the life sentence helps her to put this horrendous ordeal behind her.”

DCI Costello added: “Billy Craven is a very dangerous individual and someone that the authorities responsible for his release will have to consider carefully as to whether he will never be a threat to the public again.

“I thank the witness in this case who had the courage to investigate what he encountered and then intervene by calling the police and giving chase to Craven as he fled the scene.”