A "HIGHLY dangerous sexual offender" has been jailed for life after dragging his victim to a cemetery and unleashing a "sustained and vicious" attack.  

The court heard how Adam Martin, of Cleckheaton, followed his victim in the early evening of December 7, 2023.

Martin, 26, then dragged the victim into Whitcliffe Cemetery in Cleckheaton, where the attack took place.
 
The victim returned home after the incident and reported what had happened.

The police cordon at the scene last DecemberThe police cordon at the scene last December (Image: Newsquest) Officers arrested Martin within hours of the offence and later charged him. He made his first appearance before magistrates on December 11 that year.

He was jailed at Leeds Crown Court on Friday for multiple offences, including two counts of rape, attempted rape, two counts of intentional strangulation, threats to kill, and Section 47 assault, in what was described as a sustained and shocking attacking on a lone victim.

The 26-year-old also committed sexual assault and three other sexual offences.

He pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to all the offences.

Martin will have to serve a minimum term of 13 years and nine months as part of his sentence.
 
The case was investigated by West Yorkshire Police's Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET). 
 
DI Jodie Hayes from HMET said: “Adam Martin committed a shocking attack against a lone victim, and we welcome his sentencing at court today.

“He identified and followed his victim before committing a sustained and vicious attack.

"There is no doubt whatsoever that he is a highly dangerous sexual offender who has acted in the most predatory way.

“It is welcome that his guilty plea may have spared the victim the ordeal of a trial but, in truth, the weight of evidence against him was so substantial he had little choice but to enter this plea.”  
 
She added: “Reports of sexual offences are treated incredibly seriously by West Yorkshire Police and victims are encouraged to come forward and report incidents.  
 
“West Yorkshire Police are a victim-focused organisation, and the welfare of victims is paramount to us.

"All reports are fully investigated by experienced detectives who can also signpost victims to services which can provide the help and support they may well need.”