A violent serial rapist who stalked lone women and subjected them to harrowing sexual attacks across Greater Manchester was jailed yesterday for 23 years.
Adam Downworth, 31, of Lenham Towers, Stockport, was found guilty after the attacks which were sometimes so severe that one woman had to have facial reconstructive surgery.
Downworth was arrested after an attack on Sunday September 16 shortly after 12.40am when he followed a 48-year-old woman along George Lane, Bredbury. Just after she rung a relative to let them know what time she was arriving home, the woman was pulled into a wooded area, beaten and raped.
She was found a short time later staggering along George Lane by a couple walking home. They also spotted Downworth walking out of the bushes further up the road and the man gave chase but Downworth was able to flee however he was arrested by police a short time later.
Detective Inspector Rebecca Matthews from GMP’s Sexual Crime Unit said: “Downworth subjected each of his victims to vicious attacks, making it clear from not only his actions but his threats and words, that he poses a real danger to women and cannot be allowed to walk the streets.
“He drove randomly round streets across Greater Manchester in his van looking for his next victim walking home alone. He would then subject these women to some of the most appalling attacks I have seen in my policing career.”
After Downworth’s arrest the woman suffered injuries to her head and underwent facial reconstructive surgery.
Police also found that Downworth had struck in April, when he grabbed a 26-year-old victim and threw her to the floor as she walked home alone. He then threatened to rape her but the victim fought back and the attacker fled with her bag and phone.
On May 12 he beat a 22-year-old woman and attempted to strangle her as she walked down Tan Yard Brow. The victim offered the attacker money from her handbag but he said he did not want it. He was then disturbed by a passing car and the victim was able to flee.
Downworth later used her phone to send sickening texts of a sexual nature to a number of girls he did not know, but had earlier befriended on facebook using a fake profile.
After further investigation Downworth was also linked to a sexual attack in 2011 when a woman, 28, was grabbed by the throat in Alexandra Park and strangled until she lost consciousness. She woke to find Downworth sexually assaulting her and suffered a broken nose.
On Sunday July 1 2012, Downworth struck again attacking a woman in Debdale Park, Gorton and punching her repeatedly in the face and body before being sexually assaulted. She lost consciousness and is believed to have been thrown in a reservoir.
As police searched his home they found two stolen mobile phones as well as a range of books relating to self-defence techniques and strangulation, forensic crime scene analysis, criminal profiling techniques and narcissistic personality disorder. He had also set up a fake Facebook account.
Downworth pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, four counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of section 47 assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of grievous bodily harm.
DI Matthews added: When we arrested Downworth, we found a library of books at his home that gave a chilling insight into his personality and thought processes, ranging from research on law surrounding sexual offences to hiding your true personality from others.
“This man has been sentenced for attacks relating to five women, who are now rebuilding their lives as they try to recover from the terrible ordeals he put them through. Due to the serious nature of Downworth’s offending, it is possible there may be other victims that have not come forward to police for whatever reason and if this is the case, I would urge them to do so.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to urge women not to walk home alone late at night but to plan their journeys and to travel with friends wherever possible.”
Cheryl Hramiak, Branch Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Adam Downworth subjected each of his victims to a truly horrifying ordeal.
“He targeted them because they were walking home alone late at night and set upon them violently and suddenly. In a number of these attacks, his victims suffered serious injuries.
“During the trial, he failed to accept responsibility for his appalling actions and showed no remorse for the suffering that he has caused his victims.
“This is a case involving one serial offender and thankfully violent rapes by strangers are rare in general. The quick thinking of other members of the public who saw Adam Downworth fleeing after the final attack must be commended in this case as this was crucial leading up to his arrest.”
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