Mark Raymond Willis

On the early morning of 31 August 2014, a 25-year-old woman was walking home alone along Queen's Road in Cheltenham after a night out with friends in the town centre. At approximately 2.30am, she was attacked by Mark Raymond Willis, a 39-year-old man from Pirton Lane in Churchdown.

Willis, who had been lurking in the area, punched the victim repeatedly in the face and pushed her over a garden wall. He then mounted her, pinned her down, and ordered her to be quiet while attempting to pull down her trousers amid a fierce struggle. The victim, utilising her mixed martial arts skills, managed to break free and escape further harm. The assault was described by Judge Hart at Bristol Crown Court as 'every woman’s worst nightmare', with the judge expressing no doubt that Willis had planned and preyed upon a lone female that night.

Willis was convicted following a trial at Gloucester Crown Court on 19 May 2015. On 7 September 2015, at Bristol Crown Court, he was sentenced to four and a half years in prison, with an additional four years on licence. The sentencing highlighted Willis's previous conviction for a similar kidnapping offence against a female, underscoring his significant risk to the public.

Detective Constable Faye Satchwell-Bennett, the officer in the case from Gloucestershire Police, commended the victim's courage, stating: 'The victim has continued to demonstrate huge courage and bravery throughout this investigation. The Judge rightly commended her and described her as being of ‘great spirit and courage’. We are pleased with the lengthy custodial sentence passed upon Mr Willis, who clearly poses significant risk to the public.' The victim, who remains anonymous, expressed relief at the outcome: 'I’m extremely pleased that this traumatic ordeal is finally over and that I can move forward with life. I wish to thank the police and the officer in the case for their hard work in identifying and apprehending the offender and the support I’ve received. I hope the case will encourage others to come forward and speak to police if they are the victim of a sexual assault.'

This case, reported by the Cotswold Journal on 7 September 2015, emphasises the bravery of the victim and the importance of reporting such crimes.