SEX BEAST CHRISTOPHER BARLOW JAILED FOR 12 YEARS AFTER STRING OF ATTACKS
A sex predator who raped a woman at knifepoint before throwing a 50p coin at her has been jailed for 12 years.Christopher Barlow stalked the streets for four weeks, attacking one vulnerable victim and attempting to rape two more while armed with a weapon.
After raping the woman in a park in January, the warehouse worker callously tossed a 50p coin at her, seemingly offering her a joke payment, before fleeing.
He also approached another woman with a knife, told her "Do what I say, or face the consequences," and demanded she perform a sex act or he would stab her.
She managed to escape to a taxi.
Weeks after the initial attack, Barlow attempted to rape another woman in Hanley, Staffs, but was scared off when a couple in a car used their headlights and horn to scare him away.
Police found Barlow hiding in a park after the couple called 999.
Officers seized his phone, revealing a search for "forced sex".
All three victims identified him during an identity parade.
Barlow pleaded guilty to rape and two charges of assault with intent to commit rape.
Judge David Fletcher said: "You pose a high risk of serious harm to the public, specifically females.
You were growing in confidence as you continued to commit these offences.
You utilised a weapon on three occasions and targeted lone females who were vulnerable.
Had you not been disturbed you would have in all likelihood gone on to rape the third victim." Barlow, from Birches Head, Staffs, was also subjected to a sexual offences prevention order.
Detective Sergeant Lindon Evans of Staffordshire Police expressed relief that Barlow is off the streets, acknowledging that a couple in a car potentially prevented a second rape.
