MACAULEY WORDEN

A man was convicted on April 21, 2026, of several serious violent offenses related to an assault on a canal-side path last year.

Macauley Worden, after a six-day trial at Leicester Crown Court, was found guilty of attempted murder, rape, sexual assault by penetration, and robbery in connection with an incident in the early hours of August 30, 2025.

The attack happened near Belton Road in Loughborough when the victim was approached by 28-year-old Worden.

He pushed them to the ground and attacked them with repeated punches.

During the attack, Worden raped and sexually assaulted the victim and also attempted to strangle them.

He then escaped with the victim’s phone and wallet.

The police responded to a report, and a detailed investigation was led by detectives from Signal, the force’s specialist team for sexual offenses.

They received assistance from other units across the police force.

Worden, who was homeless at the time, was detained on September 3 after being found sleeping in a tent about a mile from the crime scene.

Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, who oversaw the investigation, said: “This was a challenging and detailed case, with officers working across different teams to find and arrest Worden.

“Ultimately, through the evidence collected, he has been convicted of a horrific and violent attack and must now answer for his actions.” He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 12 at Leicester Crown Court.