Rapist jailed for 34 years after attack in Loughborough

A man has been jailed for 34 years after being convicted of attempted murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery following an attack on a canal towpath in Loughborough.

Twenty-eight-year-old Macauley Worden, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on Friday (10 July). He was found guilty following a trial in April.

The offences happened in the early hours of 30 August last year on the canal towpath near Belton Road, where the victim was attacked before being raped and sexually assaulted. Worden also stole the victim's phone and wallet before leaving the scene.

He was arrested on 3 September after officers found him sleeping rough in a tent around a mile from where the attack took place.

As well as the prison sentence, Worden has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and made subject to an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.

Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, the senior investigating officer, praised the victim's courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

"I hope the sentence passed today has provided the victim with a degree of closure which will allow them to move on with their life. The strength and courage they've shown throughout the investigation – and particularly during the court process – is testament to their character and determination to ensure that Worden was brought to justice for what was undoubtedly a violent and incomprehensible attack."

Detective Constable Chris Fox added that Leicestershire Police would continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to sexual offences.

"Today's sentence shows that the courts also take a similar approach and will ensure that those responsible are locked up for a significant amount of time, meaning that they cannot cause harm to our communities. I hope this outcome provides reassurance to the public and encourages anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward and seek justice."

Anyone affected by sexual violence can access specialist support through services across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland or by contacting Leicestershire Police.