YORK WOMAN’S BRAVERY LEADS TO LIFE SENTENCE FOR SERIAL RAPIST MARK THOMPSON
The first victim of a serial rapist has revealed how her attacker was set free to attack three more women - because prosecutors did not believe her.She was cornered in a shop doorway in York by Mark Thompson five years ago, but her case was dropped.
Thompson, a stranger, attempted to pull her trousers down while holding a hand over her mouth near Coney Street, but was stopped when two nightclub bouncers heard her muffled pleas for help.
Martial arts expert Thompson, married to Adriana Ford-Thompson, a University of York research and teaching fellow, was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and taken into custody.
The victim, who cannot be named, told her story to police in the early hours and gave video evidence the next day.
All her clothes were taken for testing.
But less than two weeks later, a policewoman knocked on her door to say the case had been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service, citing lack of evidence.
She expressed her disappointment and fear that Thompson was free to attack again, as he lived nearby.
Five years later, Thompson was arrested again for kidnapping a 21-year-old student and raping her three times, which led to two more women coming forward.
One had woken in her bed to find Thompson standing over her, undressing.
The other was a woman who had pulled a knife on Thompson earlier that summer when he attempted to rape her.
This prompted the CPS to reopen the 2009 case.
In May, Thompson was convicted at Teesside Crown Court of multiple charges, including three of rape, one of attempted rape, and one of kidnapping.
He denied nine charges, but a judge described him as "one of the most dangerous offenders I have ever had to deal with".
The first victim felt anger but relief when Thompson was sentenced to life imprisonment.
A CPS spokesperson explained that, after re-evaluating evidence with a dedicated unit, they decided to pursue the 2009 case, which was originally dismissed due to inconclusive evidence.
The victims and the public expressed frustration that justice was delayed, and one victim remarked that earlier action could have prevented further assaults.
She was advised to seek compensation but stated that no money could undo the harm caused.
