CRUEL WAKEFIELD RAPIST SENTENCED TO 26 YEARS FOR SADISTIC CRIMES
A repeat sex offender has been sentenced to 26 years in prison for a series of serious sexual assaults involving three women in Wakefield.Craig Howell, aged 38, formerly of Eastmoor, Wakefield, and now of Assembly Lane, Normanton, was convicted of three rape offences.
He will serve six years of his sentence on police license.
His crimes span from 2009 to 2015, and involved horrific acts including the degradation of one victim for his sadistic pleasure, as described by Judge Kearl QC.
Howell pleaded guilty in court to three counts of actual bodily harm, two rapes, false imprisonment, and making threats to kill against one woman in 2009; two counts of causing actual bodily harm and unlawful wounding of a second woman in 2013; and causing actual bodily harm and rape in 2015 against a third woman.
The offences were uncovered when the third victim reported the assault last July, leading police to arrest Howell, after which further victims and offences came to light.
Detective Inspector Tim Hunt emphasized Howell’s danger and praised the bravery of the victims who came forward.
He stated, “Howell is a truly dangerous sex offender who was branded sadistic in court as a result of his crimes,” and assured that the investigation was thorough.
Hunt also commented, “These offences came to light after one of his victims had the courage to come forwards and contact the police, leading us to arrest Howell and conduct further investigations.” The judge’s sentencing confirms that Howell will spend many years incarcerated, contributing to public safety.
