2012: MAN JAILED FOR EIGHT YEARS FOR KIDDERMINSTER RAPE
A KIDDERMINSTER man has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman in the town.Ashley Shuck, 19, of Cobham Road, denied the offence of rape but was found guilty on Wednesday, September 19, after a trial at Worcester Crown Court.
He was sentenced by Judge Robert Juckes QC at the same court today.
The victim, an 18-year-old woman, was grabbed near the traffic island at the junction of Worcester Road and Stourport Road as she made her way home from work on the evening of March 19, this year.
She was threatened with violence and forced under a bridge, where Shuck raped her.
Det Con Mark Wilding of West Mercia Police said: "This was an appalling and terrifying attack on a young woman, during which Shuck held her around the neck in a choke hold.
She stopped breathing to make him let go.
A positive DNA match was obtained and the hard work of a dedicated team of officers and forensics experts resulted in the arrest of Shuck within three days.
The speedy result was vitally important in reassuring both the victim and the general public.
"The victim was extremely brave, and was able to give police a good physical description of the offender, as well as information he had told her about himself.
She was then put through the further ordeal of having to give evidence at the trial but throughout has shown a strength and determination to see justice done.
Statements from the victim and her family say she still suffers pain in her neck from where she was grabbed.
The victim says she must avoid Kidderminster as she no longer feels safe, is very emotional, does not sleep properly and is now unable to work.
She said: "I want to be able to walk around and try to enjoy my life but I know my life will never be the same again." Her father said his daughter had changed since the attack and he felt guilty for not having been able to protect her.
He said: "This individual has taken my daughter's zest for life away from her." DC Wilding added: "We hope the victim will be reassured by the lengthy sentence imposed and with support will gradually be able to rebuild her life."
