A man who raped, strangled, and imprisoned a woman in Knutsford has been jailed. Lee Jones at first claimed his "horrendous" behaviour was part of consensual sex but eventually admitted a series of crimes and is now starting a 12 year prison sentence.
Jones, 46, admitted raping the victim of two occasions. On the first, he strangled her before motioning to a knife on the floor and making threats to her family.
He was arrested on February 26 after the terrified victim messaged family members asking them to call the police for her. In a statement, Cheshire Constabulary said: "When interviewed in custody he claimed that the sex he had with the victim was consensual.
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"Jones also claimed that the strangulation marks on her neck were a result of consensual sex. However, following a thorough investigation carried out by detectives at Macclesfield CID, Jones was charged with, and pleaded guilty to, a number of offences."
At Chester Crown Court, Jones, of Cross Flatts Street in Leeds, pleaded guilty to two counts of rape and also admitted charges of sexual assault by penetration, false imprisonment involving a bladed article and causing actual bodily harm via strangulation. He has now been jailed for 12 years, and given an extended six years on licence. He was also to adhere to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and sign the sexual offenders’ register for life.
Detective Constable Andrew Cole, who led the investigation at Macclesfield CID, said: “Lee Jones subjected his victim to a horrendous level of sexual and physical abuse. Thanks to the bravery of the victim in disclosing what Jones had subjected to her to, he has been brought to justice for his heinous actions. I am delighted that he is now behind bars, where he cannot pose a threat to society.
“Whilst the victim will never be able to forget what Jones subjected her to, I hope that the culmination of this case and the sentence that has been handed out by Chester Crown Court gives her some closure and enables her to begin to move forward with her life.”
Chief Inspector Matt Lagar, of Macclesfield Local Policing Unit, which covers Knutsford, said: “Sexual offences, particularly rape, are horrendous crimes, and this is a particularly distressing case. I would like to thank all the officers involved in the investigation for their hard work in gathering the required level of evidence to ensure that Lee Jones is made to face the consequences of his actions in the form of a substantial prison sentence.
“I hope that this case encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us. Cheshire Constabulary takes any allegation of sexual offences extremely seriously, no matter how long ago they relate to.
“Any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority. Victims should never feel ashamed to talk about what they have been subjected to. They will receive the help and support they need from our specialist officers, as well as from other support agencies we work alongside, and all victims of sexual offences have the right to anonymity.”
To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101. Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
