DEVON PRISON RAPIST JAILED AGAIN AFTER VICIOUS ASSAULT
A dangerous sex offender, Martin Walsh, has been re-jailed following a vicious attack on a female staff member at Channings Wood prison in Devon.Walsh, who was initially serving a life sentence for a 2006 attack where he kidnapped and raped a woman in County Durham, attacked the woman in a sex offenders treatment unit at the prison.
He managed to trick her into allowing him into the unit under the pretense of using the toilet.
After she entered, Walsh claimed there was an unconscious person inside and moved to block her exit.
When she recognized Walsh's past crimes and attempted to reach a panic alarm, he assaulted her, grabbing her in a headlock, leading to a struggle where she was able to break free and escape.
Walsh later admitted he intended to rape and kill her.
Following the attack, Walsh was diagnosed with a personality disorder and paranoid schizophrenia and is currently detained in Rampton high security hospital.
He pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm and was sentenced to two years by Judge Geoffrey Mercer, QC, at Exeter Crown Court.
Due to his ongoing life sentence, the sentence is largely symbolic, but full details of the assault will be shared with parole authorities.
The judge expressed profound concern over his actions, emphasizing the psychological impact on the victim and the aggravating factor of Walsh's status as a serving prisoner.
The original offense in 2006 involved kidnapping a 21-year-old woman, dragging her into bushes, raping her, and committing additional sexual assaults, which resulted in a life sentence with a minimum of six years.
Walsh's case is considered highly dangerous, and his criminal history underlines the importance of ongoing supervision.
