'Evil' rapist convicted of town centre attack

John Harvey carried out his attack in the Mardol area of Shrewsbury

Police have condemned an "evil" rapist, who admitted his crime in a police interview, then pleaded not guilty and forced his victim to endure a nine-day trial.

John Harvey, 25, of Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, Shropshire, carried out the attack in July in the Mardol area of Shrewsbury.

He approached a woman in her 20s and assaulted her before fleeing the scene and hiding in toilets at the town's railway station.

Harvey was remanded in custody by a judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court having been convicted of two rapes and a sexual assault, and will be sentenced in March.

The victim reported the attack immediately afterwards, and police quickly tracked Harvey down to his hiding place.

Det Con Sam Jones from West Mercia Police said: "I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and resilience throughout the entire investigation and trial.

"Harvey committed an evil crime and despite admitting to the offences during interview he then denied them, subjecting the victim and her family to sit through a court trial."