HULL MAN SENTENCED TO LIFE FOR BRUTAL RAPE AND ASSAULT
Alec Lowther – life with a minimum of five years and four monthsMay 2016Alec Lowther, 21, brutally assaulted and repeatedly raped a woman in St Mary’s Churchyard cemetery in September of the previous year.The victim has suffered permanent damage, leaving her partially blind and deaf for her entire life.She bravely shared her experience, saying: “This person took away my independence, my ability to sleep, my confidence and my self-belief.”Lowther, who has no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment at Hull Crown Court after admitting to three counts of rape, grievous bodily harm, and robbery.The judge ruled he must serve at least five years and four months before being eligible for parole, and only if he is no longer considered a danger to society.The incident involved pushing the victim into a cemetery where she was beaten and raped, leaving her with severe injuries including eye damage, bruises, and cuts requiring stitches.She was unable to see because of bleeding in her eyes and was threatened with death.Lowther also stole her mobile phone and £163.15 in cash during the attack.He later admitted to three counts of rape, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and robbery, with some hearings delayed due to his refusal to admit to one of the rape charges in the presence of female relatives.While incarcerated, Lowther had been self-harming and was placed on suicide watch, raising concerns about his mental health.
His lawyer indicated his condition was serious.The judge indicated that a very lengthy sentence was inevitable, potentially even a life sentence, emphasizing that Lowther would be incarcerated for a substantial amount of time.
