MARK WILLIAMS BOUGHT BOURNEMOUTH TO ITS KNEES WITH BRUTAL ATTACKS AND STABBINGS
In a chilling series of violent incidents that shocked the Bournemouth community, Mark Robert Williams was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of heinous attacks that took place over a single night.The events unfolded in the early hours of February 19, 2021, leaving multiple victims severely injured and traumatized.
Williams, aged 37 and residing on Cecil Road in Bournemouth, was found guilty of a horrifying spree that included stabbing two women in the neck, inflicting life-threatening injuries, and sexually assaulting a teenage girl.
The attack was described by the presiding judge, Honourable Mr Justice Neil Garnham, as “barbaric” and part of a “truly dreadful case.” Prior to these incidents, Williams had a troubling criminal history, including convictions for attempted rape in 2008 and rape in 2009.
His recent actions, however, marked a new level of violence and danger.
During the sentencing hearing at Winchester Crown Court, it was revealed that Williams had previously been released from prison but was still under a lifelong licence condition, which he had breached.
On the night of the attack, police had initially arrested Williams at his Bournemouth home on suspicion of possessing indecent images of children.
It was discovered that he had a phone with internet access, which he had not disclosed to authorities, further breaching his licence conditions.
Instead of being detained, he was taken back to his flat, where he prepared for violence by gathering a large knife, tape, and cable ties into a drawstring bag, indicating an intent to harm someone, though the specific target was initially unknown.
At approximately 8:08 pm, Dorset Police responded to a report of a stabbing at an address in the Charminster area.
Officers arrived to find a woman in her 40s with a cut to her throat and abdomen, along with a puncture wound to her thigh.
A teenage girl present at the scene also sustained a cut across her cheek.
Witnesses reported that Williams had entered the property, attacked the victims, tied them up, gagged them, and threatened to kill them.
During the assault, Williams sexually assaulted the teenage girl and declared to the victims that he was “dangerous” and that he should never have been released from prison.
Disturbingly, Williams turned the television on loudly to drown out the victims’ cries for help before leaving the scene, leaving them restrained and helpless.
The victims managed to free themselves using scissors and sought emergency assistance.
Police body-worn camera footage played in court depicted the harrowing scene inside the property, highlighting the severity of the attack.
The woman was airlifted to hospital in critical condition, requiring urgent surgery, while the teenage girl received treatment for serious injuries.
Later that same night, at approximately 11:59 pm, police responded to reports of a woman screaming on Vale Road.
Officers found Williams, covered in blood and acting erratically, having repeatedly stabbed a woman in her 30s in the throat.
The victim was also transported by air ambulance to hospital, where she underwent surgery due to the severity of her injuries.
Williams was located nearby on Old Christchurch Road, where he was found bloodstained and behaving strangely.
When approached by police, he fell to his knees, raised his hands, and claimed to be the man they were seeking.
Following his arrest, Williams cooperated with police, providing detailed accounts of his actions during interviews.
His guilty pleas to multiple charges, including attempted murder, false imprisonment, grievous bodily harm with intent, and sexual assault, were entered at Bournemouth Crown Court on March 29.
The court heard evidence of his dangerousness, with Mr Justice Garnham explicitly stating that there was “absolutely no doubt that you meet the criteria for dangerousness.” As part of his sentence, Williams is required to serve a minimum of 14 years before being considered for parole.
The case has left a lasting impact on the Bournemouth community, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals with violent histories and the importance of vigilant law enforcement.
