2008; TEENAGER JAILED FOR TERROR SEX ATTACK
A teenage boy threatened a woman with a knife to her throat and coerced her into performing a sex act, following which he was sentenced for his actions.Matthew Webb, aged 17 at the time, committed this brutal assault on July 29 of the previous year.
On Monday, he admitted to charges of rape and received a five-year prison sentence from Judge Maureen Roddy at Bolton Crown Court.
The judge described his conduct as ‘the act of a coward.’ The court was told that Webb and a woman, who is identified as a sex worker, were in Shifnall Street, Bolton, when he attracted her attention by whistling.
Prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson explained that the woman approached Webb, believing him to be trustworthy because he appeared normal.
However, Webb suddenly attacked her, throwing her to the ground and stating, ‘There is no point in struggling because I am going to kill you after this.’ The woman, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, pleaded for Webb not to assault her, claiming she was pregnant and afraid for her unborn child because of the knife at her throat.
Webb initially agreed but then demanded she perform a sexual act.
The woman managed to escape and flagged down a police patrol.
Forensic analysis linked Webb’s DNA to evidence retrieved from the scene, leading to his arrest in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, last December.
Defender Joseph Hart stated that Webb found his crime deeply embarrassing and expressed that his client had the courage to admit guilt and stand by his plea.
Webb, now 19, was informed that he would serve half of his sentence before being released on license and is required to register as a sex offender for life.
