Rapist who attacked three women jailed

Leon Bowes was first reported to the police in 2023

A rapist who carried out a string of violent and sexual assaults against three women has been jailed.

Leicestershire Police said Leon Bowes had frequently committed acts of physical and sexual violence, as well as verbal threats and controlling behaviour since 2008.

The 34-year-old, of Biddle Road, Littlethorpe, subjected one woman to abuse over a seven-year period, beginning when she was 14.

Bowes was sentenced to a minimum term of 17 years and four months behind bars at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday.

During the ordeal, the woman was raped, punched and strangled, causing her at times to lose consciousness, Leicestershire Police said.

Leon Bowes was convicted of 29 crimes at Leicester Crown Court in November

The force said he carried out attacks of a similar nature against a second woman over eight years, leaving her in fear of what would happen if she refused to follow his demands.

A third woman was raped, assaulted and threatened with a knife over a period of five months.

Bowes, who was convicted of 29 crimes in total, could have carried out attacks against other women, police said.

One of the victims, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: "I lived in constant fear of Leon.

"I was petrified of him and the level of violence he showed towards me. It was so bad that I no longer recognise myself.

"Leon needs to be kept away from women permanently. He enjoyed the pain and the fear he put me through."

Six-week trial

Another of the women added: "He made me so dependent on him. I still live in fear. I feel scared and paranoid all the time."

Bowes' offending was first reported to officers by one of the women in July 2023.

Following a six-week trial at Leicester Crown Court, Bowes was convicted on 18 November of ten counts of rape, eight counts of actual bodily harm (ABH), two counts of coercive or controlling behaviour, and two counts of assault by penetration.

He was also found guilty of single counts of harassment, intentional strangulation, and threatening somebody with an offensive weapon.

Prior to the trial, he pleaded guilty to separate charges of affray, malicious communication, common assault and possession of a class B drug.

He was also found not guilty of one count of ABH and no verdict could be reached in relation to another account of the same charge.