WOMAN FEARED FOR HER LIFE AFTER BEING STRANGLED BY 'PURE EVIL' RAPIST
Warning: This article contains details that may be upsetting to some readers.A woman who suffered repeated sexual assault feared for her life after being strangled by her attacker.
Lewys Manley, 30 years old from Newport, received a 12-year prison sentence at Gloucester Crown Court.
The victim, a resident of Gloucestershire, screamed for help during one of the assaults, prompting nearby individuals to contact the police.
Following an investigation by Gloucestershire Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, Manley was swiftly apprehended and charged.
Court proceedings revealed that he had struck the woman with a bottle and pressed his thumbs into her eyes.
Manley confessed to two counts of assault and controlling behavior, and was convicted of five counts of rape and intentional strangulation.
Details of the abuse included an incident where Manley refused to wear a condom despite her request, and another where he violently raped her anally after she consented to vaginal sex, resulting in injuries and severe pain.
The judge sentenced Manley on December 2, giving 12 years for each rape charge, 12 months for each assault, and two and a half years for coercive and controlling behavior, all served concurrently.
These sentences did not benefit from any credit for late guilty pleas.
He is required to serve a minimum of eight years before being eligible for release on license, and an indefinite restraining order was also imposed.
Due to the severity of his actions, His Honour Judge Rupert Lowe specified that only a further court order could remove the restraining order.
The victim attended the sentencing hearing, and her written statement was read aloud, describing the moment Manley strangled her.
She recounted her struggle to breathe, how he lifted her by the throat and hair with evil-looking eyes, and how he threatened to stab her and attacked her torso, making her believe she would be murdered.
She expressed ongoing fear of Manley, particularly noting his irrational violence under the influence of drugs and her persistent terror that he might kill her in the future.
Detective Constable Damian Brogan, leading the investigation, stated that Manley’s brutality included severe physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
He praised the victim’s courage in reporting the crimes and providing testimony, despite the denial from Manley.
A representative from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the lasting impact of the abuse on the victim and commended her bravery throughout the legal process, expressing hope that she can now rebuild her life safely.
During mitigation, Manley’s defense argued that his actions were influenced by substance abuse and mental health issues.
However, Judge Lowe emphasized that these factors did not justify his violent behavior towards the victim.
