Wolverhampton man sentenced to life in jail for rape and attempted murder
Luke Ward, 25, will serve a minimum of 14 years
A man from Wolverhampton has been jailed for life after being found guilty of rape and attempted murder.
Luke Ward, 25 of Princess Anne Road, pleaded guilty to the charges at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Monday (January 31st).
Ward had broken into a woman's home in August of 2021 and held her hostage for over 34 hours while her two young children were in their rooms.
Ward then subsequently raped the woman and stabbed her in the throat. Despite managing to stop the bleeding, the woman asked Ward to call for medical assistance. Ward did not listen and went on to rape the woman again.
Officers from West Midlands Police were called to the property when the woman was able to get out of the house and alert neighbours of what she had been through.
After entering the property, officers discovered that Ward had fled the scene - but was caught by the City of London police force the following day. The woman's children were left unharmed.
At Wolverhampton Crown Court, Ward accepted the charges made against him and will now serve a life sentence, with a minimum term of 14 years.
Detective Constable Nikki McMurray, from West Midlands Police's Public Protection Unit welcomed the judge's verdict.
“This was a terrifying attack on a woman who feared for her life and the welfare of her children," she said.
“She has had to undergo a lengthy operation to repair a deep wound that reached to her spine. She has been left with significant scarring to her neck, so even if the memory of her ordeal fades, the scars are a constant reminder.
“I hope that knowing Ward is behind bars gives her some sense of security.”