A sexual predator who raped a woman in an alleyway in Leighton Buzzard after a night out has been jailed for more than nine years.
Loui Cadman, 25, was seen on CCTV following the victim down the alleyway from Lake Street towards Duncombe Drive, at around 1.30am on 20 November last year.
Police were alerted by a member of door staff at a nearby pub, who said that a woman had approached them crying and saying that she had been raped.
When officers arrived, the victim was able to tell them where the attack took place and that the suspect was unknown to her.
CCTV enquires were carried out and footage showed Cadman jogging behind the victim towards the alleyway before they both disappeared out of sight.
Approximately six minutes later, the victim could be seen leaving the alleyway, walking towards the pub and speaking to the doorman.
Officers were able to identify and locate Cadman during a search of the area and he was arrested on suspicion of rape.
When officers seized his phone, it was also discovered that he had intimately filmed the victim while she was down the alleyway.
On Tuesday, Cadman, of Meadow Way, Leighton Buzzard was sentenced to nine years and three months in prison, with an extended license of three years, for rape, voyeurism, possession of indecent images and possession of cannabis.
Her Honour Judge Herbert deemed Cadman to be a "danger to women" and described his behaviour as predatory.
Summing up, she said: “You understood what you were doing was extremely wrong, you were opportunistic and this was a calculated choice on your part I believe.”
Detective Sergeant Shona Birkby, from Bedfordshire Police’s Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) team, said: “Cadman targeted the victim as she was vulnerable, on her own and there weren’t many people around at that time.
"He had initially approached her on the street but when he saw her walk down the alleyway, he went after her knowing it was his opportunity to get her on her own.
“We have a relentless focus on male violence against women and girls, including in the night time economy.
"Women deserve to be, and feel, safe when they are out at night in public places, and we will pursue predators like Cadman who threaten that safety to put them behind bars.
“We know that people may feel some behaviour which makes them feel unsafe or uncomfortable is not worth reporting to police – but we want to know about it.
"These patterns can escalate into serious offences, and we want to take action to stop predatory behaviour as early as we can.
“The victim in this case endured a horrific experience and shown tremendous courage to help bring Cadman to justice. I hope she in particular feels a sense of closure today.”
For more information about Bedfordshire Police's work to tackle male violence against women and girls, visit our male violence against women and girls section.
