Life sentence for man who raped woman in cemetery

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Image caption, Adam Martin pleaded guilty to 10 offences, including rape and making threats to kill

A "highly dangerous" sexual offender who raped a woman in a cemetery after following her home has been jailed for life.

Adam Martin tailed the woman as she left Cleckheaton bus station before dragging her into the graveyard to carry out a "sustained and vicious attack", West Yorkshire Police said.

The 26-year-old, of no fixed abode, had earlier pleaded guilty to 10 offences linked to the assault, including two counts of rape, two of intentional strangulation and one of making threats to kill.

At a sentencing hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, Martin was told he must serve a minimum term of 13 years and nine months.

Following the hearing, Det Insp Jodie Hayes said: 鈥淎dam Martin committed a shocking attack against a lone victim and we welcome his sentencing at court today.

鈥淗e identified and followed his victim before committing a sustained and vicious attack. There is no doubt whatsoever he is a highly dangerous sexual offender who has acted in the most predatory way.

鈥淚t is welcome that his guilty plea may have spared the victim the ordeal of a trial but, in truth, the weight of evidence against him was so substantial he had little choice but to enter this plea.鈥

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on 麻豆社 Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.