A man who stabbed a woman and raped her outside a Castleford shopping centre has been jailed for at least nine years.
Kevin Lemm, 37, was locked up after he admitted raping the woman during a prolonged attack in Bridge Street, Castleford on January 3, outside Carlton Lanes Shopping Centre.
West Yorkshire Police say the victim suffered life changing injuries and detectives have described the case as one of the worst they have seen.
Lemm, of Denton Terrace in Castleford, was arrested hours after the attack and charged with rape, section 18 wounding, threats to kill, robbery and possession of a bladed article.
At Leeds Crown Court, he was jailed for life with a minimum of 18 years.
'Cases of this nature are extremely rare'
Detective chief inspector Vanessa Rolfe said: "Lemm subjected his victim to a horrendous and sustained attack in which he raped and stabbed her with a knife in what was a frightening and horrific ordeal.
"The victim has been left with life changing injuries from the horrific attack and is coming to terms with what has happened to her.
"Cases of this nature are extremely rare and I would like to praise the victim for her bravery in coming forward to report the offences to police.
"I am pleased that Lemm pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity to spare his victim from having to sit through a trial.
"I hope the gravity of Lemm’s sentence goes in some way to give the victim justice and closure after this horrendous ordeal.
"Anyone who has suffered any sexual crime is urged to come forward to the police so that we can investigate it.
"We have specially trained police officers who will offer support and advice throughout.”
