A ‘calculated and wicked’ Manchester rapist was hit with a surprise birthday treat today when he was locked up for eight years for attacking a woman who asked him for directions.
Luke Jones, 22 today, introduced himself as Ben to a woman visiting the city last year who was having a cigarette outside a pub on Deansgate.
The 24-year-old victim told Jones she was staying at a friend’s apartment but was unsure where it was – so he offered to walk her to the address.
In the early hours of September 10, as Jones and the victim walked through St John’s Gardens, Byrom Street, he pushed her to the ground, put his hand over her mouth and raped her.
Detective Constable Siobhan Emmett from the Public Protection Division said: “The victim did not know the Manchester area and when Jones befriended her, she trusted him and believed he would help her get to her friend’s apartment.
“Instead, he abused her trust and carried out a calculated and wicked act to satisfy his own needs.
“Thanks to a combination of the victim’s bravery and the skills of our officers, Jones has been taken off our streets and will spend a substantial time behind bars.”
When the victim tried to push Jones off, he raped her again.
Jones then tried to take the victim somewhere darker and it was at this point the victim managed to run away and flag down a passing police car.
A manhunt ensued and CCTV images of Jones, of no fixed abode, were circulated nationwide – he was arrested in the city centre on September 14 last year.
Jones was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court.
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