Violent rapist jailed for 25 years

A man who raped and beat a woman so badly she is still in hospital 12 months later has been jailed for 25 years.

Damian Taylor was found guilty of attempted murder and rape at Winchester Crown Court on Monday.

He and his girlfriend Kerry Young, 25, met their 43-year-old victim outside Portsmouth Magistrates Court in July 2001 and went drinking together.

Taylor, 30, of Trinity Close, Gosport, Hampshire, drove the two women out to a field in Hambledon, Hampshire and led the victim up a remote path where he initiated the attack.

'No mercy'

The woman was violently attacked and left for dead in the field.

Her injuries were so serious she is still in hospital and unlikely ever to recover from her injuries.

Sentencing, Mr Justice Michael Turner told Taylor: "At no stage has it crossed your mind what a terrible wrong you have committed not just to the victim but to her family, wrongs that were committed to satisfy your perverted lust.

"That family has not had an opportunity to grieve. On a daily basis they are reminded of the evil you did to this wife and this mother.

'Appalling violence'

"You showed her no mercy. Your protestations of sorrow or regret were shallow."

Young, a mother of two, of Cornwell Close, Gosport, was cleared of attempted murder but convicted of assault causing grievous bodily harm with intent and jailed for five years.

The judge told Young she had committed a crime of "quite appalling violence" but said she had been led by Taylor.