This is the CCTV footage that helped nail sinister Matthew Stevens as the monster who tried to murder a woman found naked in woods.
He had left his victim so badly injured by repeatedly stamping, kicking and punching her, she had no memory of what had happened. But a trawl by police through cameras helped to piece together what had happened.
The pair were seen walking towards Stevens' home in Brunswick Village, Newcastle, in the early hours of March 11, with no apparent issues between them. But after a chilling gap of 50 minutes, during which he stripped the woman naked and dragged her into brambles and trees in a horrific and sustained attack, Stevens is then seen walking away from the scene of his abhorrent crime alone, with her jewellery in his pocket as a sick "trophy".
Read more: Face of evil: Brunswick Village monster who tried to murder woman found naked in woods unmasked
Stevens is now facing a lengthy prison sentence after jurors at Newcastle Crown Court convicted him of attempting to murder the woman, who is in her 30s and from Gateshead. The jury, who were shown horrific pictures of her injuries, found him guilty by a majority of 11-1, Stevens having admitted wounding with intent but denying an intention to kill.
CCTV first picked up the pair in Bobby's Bar, in Newcastle city centre, where they met through mutual friends. After earlier swapping numbers at the bar, they ended up arguing, an exchange that was also caught on camera and played to the jury.
They were asked to leave due to the row and did so together and were seen walking through the city centre and getting into a taxi on St James' Boulevard. The cabbie recalled the woman repeatedly saying she just wanted to go home to Gateshead but Stevens insisted she could stay at his home.
However he didn't tell her until they were nearly there that his mother had forbidden him from taking a woman back to their home. They then ended up at the scene of the crime, close to his home.
Stevens, 28, of Drysdale Crescent, Brunswick Village, was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next March.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Inspector Tam Fowler of Northumbria Police said: “This was a sinister attack which I’m sure will stay with the victim for some time, and I hope today gives her that first step towards the closure she needs and deserves.
“Her bravery and courage throughout these proceedings has been remarkable and I am pleased the jury saw through the lies told by Stevens about his actions and intentions that night. He is a dangerous man who should not be afforded the luxury of living in our communities and I am pleased he faces a significant custodial sentence.
“Stevens’ motivations were clear and thanks to the evidence gathered, we were able to show the court how he isolated his victim, taking her away from her friend to an area she didn’t know to carry out the attack, and when he was finished, he left her alone in a field, without her clothes, phone or any ways to get home or call help, with significant facial injuries which she would have died from, had the dog walker not found her.
“I hope our communities know this type of despicable behaviour can never be excused or tolerated and as a force we will do all we can to put offenders like Stevens before the courts.
“Violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and I would like to thank all the officers, staff and witnesses who came forward to help us with this case, and ensure a dangerous, violent man is no longer able to harm anyone else.”
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