MICHAEL WARE FROM BIRMINGHAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ATTACK IN CEMETERY

Michael Ware, a 23-year-old man from Birmingham, has been handed down a severe prison sentence totaling 15 years following his conviction for a brutal and disturbing assault that took place in December 2014. The incident involved Ware threatening a young woman with a fake firearm and subsequently raping her in a cemetery, an attack that has left a lasting impact on the victim and the community alike.

According to court reports, Ware had been following the 19-year-old victim from Kings Norton railway station before launching his assault. He brandished a fake gun, which he pressed against her head, coercing her into a nearby graveyard. The victim, in a courageous act of resilience, managed to wrest the weapon away from Ware and fled the scene, seeking safety and help. The police investigation quickly gained momentum after they recovered Ware’s damaged mobile phone at the scene, which served as a crucial piece of evidence linking him to the crime.

Further police efforts led to Ware’s arrest when he was observed following another woman from the same railway station. During his apprehension, officers found him in possession of a knife, adding to the charges against him. Ware’s criminal record now includes a 15-year prison sentence, a lifetime placement on the sex offenders' register, and additional sentences for possessing an imitation firearm and carrying a knife—seven years and one year, respectively. All sentences are to run concurrently, ensuring a comprehensive punishment for his actions.

Inspector Ian Ingram of West Midlands Police expressed his views on the case, stating that Ware had meticulously planned the attack and that he likely would have continued offending had he not been caught. The police, along with the victim, praised her remarkable bravery during the ordeal, which undoubtedly played a role in bringing Ware to justice. The community remains shaken by the events, but the conviction offers some measure of closure and justice for the young woman who endured this traumatic experience.