Cyclist who raped woman walking home in Bedford jailed

Daniel Williams was described as "a dangerous sexual predator" by the judge

A convicted sex offender who raped a woman walking home from a party has been given a life sentence.

Daniel Williams, 36, cycled up behind the victim in Bromham Road, Bedford, grabbed her by the shoulders and forced her on to a muddy area.

After the attack, on 17 January 2022, the victim, who is in her 30s, raised the alarm by knocking on a front door.

Williams from Clark's Row, Oxford, was caught by a match on the DNA database and convicted by a jury of rape.

Judge Geoffrey Payne described him as a "thoroughly dangerous sexual predator" at the sentencing at Luton Crown Court.

He passed a life sentence with a minimum term of 6 years.

The victim was walking along Bromham Road when she was grabbed from behind by a cyclist

The court heard evidence that Williams followed his victim "for some time" before the attack.

In a victim personal statement, the woman said it had left her afraid to go out, feeling insecure and hearing voices.

Williams had been released from prison in 2019 after he was convicted of following a 23-year-old woman to her home and attempting to rape her.

In 2002 he had been sentenced to four years for indecently assaulting and robbing a 64-year-old woman in a shop.

The judge said: "This was a predatory attack on a lone woman on her way home. He left her lying in the mud.

"He has a history of attacking complete strangers for his own gratification. He poses a very high level of danger indeed."

Det Con Peta Simpson from Bedfordshire Police's rape and serious sexual offences team, said: "Williams was an opportunist offender who preyed on a lone woman before carrying out this appalling sexual assault."

She said the victim had "showed true courage" in reporting the crime.

"Women deserve to feel safe in public spaces - they should not have to worry and they shouldn't have to look over their shoulders," she said.