Rapist, 75, could spend final years behind bars after sex attack in Sheffield car park
A 40 year long quest for justice has finally ended with a rapist likely to spend his final years behind bars over a knifepoint rape he thought he’d got away with for decades.
In the early hours of the morning on September 7, 1985, Hill sneaked up behind a woman in her 20s at an underground car park in Barker’s Pool.
He put a knife to her neck and proceeded to rape her in her car before fleeing.
A manhunt was quickly launched, however for close to four decades the Rotherham man managed to evade the law.
Now though, aged 75, Hill, of Clifton Bank, appeared at Sheffield Crown Court via live link to finally face justice for his sickening crime.
“Whilst you have gone unpunished for many years, the victim suffered,” Judge Peter Hampton said to the convicted rapist at court today (March 20).
Hill protested his innocence during a trial at the same court last month, though jurors ultimately found him guilty of rape on February 12.
His victim - who The Star has chosen not to name - tragically passed away in the 90s and never got to see her attacker brought to justice, however throughout the trial her friends and family packed out the public gallery and celebrated in the halls of the court after a guilty verdict was returned.
They returned once again this afternoon to see the judge pass his sentence.
Prosecuting barrister Louise Revell summarised a statement by written by the victim’s brother for the court today, in which he blames the rape for the ‘untimely death’ of his sister.
The statement describes her as ‘never being sane again’ after the attack.
“I miss her every day,” the statement read by Ms Revell continued.
“The pain of her loss and her suffering is still as raw today.
“I firmly believe if she had not been raped she would be here now and our lives would be better.”
Ms Revell argued that the crime led to significant psychological harm as she presented the severity of the crime to the judge.
Dermot Hughes, who represents Hill, began mitigation by detailing Hill’s health conditions.
Hill, who attended court with a walking stick throughout the trial, but was unable to show in person today due to a recent injury.
“He’s in failing health, that’s why he’s not here in person,” said Mr Hughes.
“He had a very bad fall this morning on the way to court.”
The defence barrister explained how his client injured his wrists and face due to the fall.
“His time in custody is going to be particularly difficult for him, giving his advanced years and failing health,” he added.
He went on to explain that the victim had existing psychological issues prior to the attack, and implored the judge to ‘not attribute every difficulty the victim experienced’ to Hill’s crime, though admitted that it will have caused damage.
Sentencing
When passing sentence, Judge Hampton described the victim as a ‘brave woman’ as he detailed the efforts she’d gone through after the attack to seek justice.
He added: “She was a hard working and successful woman - sadly she was never the same after the rape.
“Tragically, eventually, she effectively withdrew from life and her health deteriorated to the point that she passed away.”
The judge quoted a statement by the victim’s friend, which described her as a ‘bubbly, happy person’ who after the attack became ‘a shell of a person - a living skeleton’.
Ultimately, he described the psychological harm of Hill’s actions as ‘of an extreme nature’.
He explained how Hill was calculated in his attack, choosing a location he knew well having previously worked at the connected Josephine’s nightclub and timing an attack when there would be few witnesses.
“Having heard the evidence of trial I am sure your presence there at that time was not by coincidence,” the judge continued.
“You were lurking in the shadows waiting for a victim - you had armed yourself with a sharp metal instrument.
“The timing and location of your attack were designed by you to ensure your victim was isolated.
“You were lying in wait to ambush your chosen victim.”
He brought up the mitigating factors raised by the defence counsel, but pointed out that prisons are equipped to handle people of Hill’s age and with deteriorating health conditions.
“You have never shown one shred of remorse,” he said, pointing to Hill’s failure to plea guilty and ongoing denial through the trial.
The judge concluded: “The least sentence I can pass which properly marks the seriousness of your offending is one of 15 years imprisonment.”
Friends and family of the victim in the public gallery began to cry upon hearing the sentence, as Judge Hampton continued to explain how Hill will have to serve a minimum of two-thirds of his sentence before release.
Before rising, he celebrated the work of the police, particularly investigating officer Rachel Morton, adding: “The courts commends her for the work she did.”