DAVE NEWTON'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN ILKLEY AND LEEDS LEAD TO LIFE SENTENCE

In a case that has shocked the communities of Ilkley and Leeds, David Newton, a 55-year-old man with no prior criminal record, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of brutal sexual assaults and attempted murders. The sentencing took place at Leeds Crown Court, where Mr. Justice McCombe described Newton's crimes as heinous and deeply disturbing.

Newton's criminal activities spanned over a decade, beginning with a horrifying attack in July 1997, when he raped a 16-year-old girl and falsely imprisoned her 11-year-old brother in the Primrose Valley area near Leeds. The young girl was collecting frogs with her brother when Newton, approaching them bare-chested and wielding a craft knife, ordered them to follow him along a path. He held the knife to her throat, forced her into a den, and raped her while her brother watched in terror. The victim's DNA was collected and later used in investigations, and her case was featured on a nationwide Crimewatch broadcast.

Fast forward to June 2006, Newton's violence escalated when he attacked a 52-year-old woman walking her dogs on Ilkley Moor. The woman, who initially tried to escape upon seeing Newton, was caught and threatened with a knife. Despite her efforts to fight back, including seizing the weapon and fighting for her life, Newton's assault continued with brutal blows and strangulation. He attempted to sexually assault her before dragging her unconscious body away from the scene and leaving her there. The woman suffered severe injuries, including head trauma, facial injuries, and ligature marks on her neck, requiring surgery. She was found bleeding heavily and in shock by police officers who responded to her distress signals.

Newton's crimes did not end there. In June 2008, authorities requested a DNA sample from him, which he initially refused. The following day, he fled to Cornwall, checked into a bed and breakfast, and refused to eat or respond to media reports about his status. His photograph was circulated nationwide, and he was eventually arrested after calling police from a public phone box. Newton explained to officers that his marriage had broken down, he had turned to alcohol, and that the police investigation was the 'last straw.' He denied involvement in the attacks.

Throughout the trial, victims provided emotional impact statements. The woman attacked on Ilkley Moor expressed relief that Newton was now behind bars, though she admitted that the trauma would stay with her forever. The teenage girl, now 27, revealed ongoing anxiety and nightmares, stating that her childhood had been stolen by the ordeal. The woman from Leeds described her fear of returning to the moor alone and her ongoing flashbacks, especially triggered by images of strangulation on television.

Newton pleaded guilty in October to attempted murder and attempted rape of the woman on Ilkley Moor, as well as the rape of the teenage girl and false imprisonment of her brother. However, on the day of sentencing, he changed his plea, only to reaffirm his guilt after a last-minute reconsideration. The judge condemned Newton's actions as horrific, emphasizing the extreme violence and control he exerted over his victims.

Detective Superintendent Chris Thompson of West Yorkshire Police described Newton as an exceptionally dangerous individual, highlighting that he had no previous convictions and was not known to police before these crimes. He noted that Newton was not a social man, rarely visited pubs, and mostly drank at home. Newton's background included a period living in Leeds near Primrose Valley, where he grew up, and a history of a troubled marriage that ended a year prior to his first known attack.

Newton's arrest was made possible through advanced DNA technology, which linked him to the crimes via familial DNA matches. His attempts to evade capture included fleeing to Cornwall, where he checked into a bed and breakfast, and refusing to cooperate with authorities. His wife and children had previously holidayed in Cornwall, specifically at The Lizard, a location Newton visited during his marriage.

In sentencing, the court recognized the profound impact on the victims, with each describing the lasting trauma and fear they continue to experience. Newton's case underscores the importance of forensic science in solving cold cases and the devastating effects of violent sexual crimes. His actions have left a permanent scar on the victims and the communities of Ilkley and Leeds, serving as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by such predators.