Woman leapt from flats to escape rapist
A RAPE victim was left seriously injured after jumping from a second floor balcony to escape her captor.
As the woman in her 20s lay in agony with a shattered elbow and wrist, a passerby came to her aid.
Evil Zachary Owens, 26, who had been holding her prisoner in a block flats, then drove off in a stolen BMW.
Police have praised the victim’s bravery as Owens was jailed for 19 years after he admitted attacking the woman in Hemel Hempstead,
Herts. Detective Inspector Phil Moss said: “We finally have justice for Owens’ victim, who has shown nothing but courage and dignity throughout her awful ordeal.
“Owens’ actions on that day show what a danger he is to women.”
The victim was walking to work at 7.30am on January 21 when Owens struck, initially trying to talk to her before dragging her into the stolen car. Prosecuting, Simon
Wilshire said: “This was a random abduction of a complete stranger.”
The monster sexually assaulted her before raping her twice, Luton Crown Court heard.
A dog walker heard her cries for help and police were alerted.
As officers raced to the scene, Owens drove the young woman to a block of flats two miles away. He forced her into a second floor flat but she managed to slip away and jump to safety from a balcony.
When Owens was arrested the next day he admitted rape, sexual assault and kidnap.
Judge Barbara Mensah told him: “You are the sort of person who is every woman’s worst nightmare.
“They were prolonged and heinous offences.
“Your actions were so frightening she was prepared to exit from the second floor window to get away.”
In an impact statement the victim said: “My independence has been taken from me. I can’t walk to the shops without feeling scared.”