Masked rapist admits sex attack on path

4:07pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

A RAPIST who dragged a woman onto a quiet footpath and subjected her to a terrifying sexual assault has been told he faces a long time behind bars.

Karl Billington, aged 35, initially denied he had raped the 44-year-old woman, but yesterday dramatically changed his plea as his victim was due to give evidence.

He admitted he forced her to perform a sex act on him after demanding she remove her underwear.

The court had heard that in September last year the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had been shopping at Asda in Farnworth and was making her way home to Kearsley along a footpath which runs beside the M61 when she was approached by Billington who had a stocking mask over his face.

He ordered her to remove her knickers. When she tried to escape by attempting to kick him and swinging her shopping bag at him he grabbed her and forced her to a clearing in nearby bushes.

There he forced her to perform a sex act on him.

Once Billington had let her go, the terrified woman ran to the nearby George Tomlinson School to report the attack.

Billington's DNA found on her hands led to his arrest.

A stocking mask was later recovered at Billington's home in St Peter's Terrace, Farnworth.

On the direction of Judge Steven Everett, the jury found Billington not guilty of sexually assaulting another woman a month earlier.

The case was adjourned for sentence until June 3 but Judge Everett warned Billington that, for the sake of public protection, he could expect to spend a long time in prison before he became eligible for parole.

DC David Fox, from Bolton CID led the hunt for the attacker.

After the hearing, he said: "Billington was a very serious danger to women in Farnworth and Kearsley and we are thankful that he will be off the streets for a long time.

"The victim suffered a terrible and degrading ordeal at his hands and was very brave in being prepared to give evidence in court.

"We are pleased Billington ultimately realised the evidence against him was so strong that he admitted his guilt and she was spared having to go into the witness box."