Sex attack on N.Z. women

Press, 5 March 1988, Page 12

Sex attack on N.Z. women

NZPA ;i special correspondent London A man has been sentenced at the Old Bailey to 10 years jail for a prolonged sex attack on two New Zealand schoolteachers after they accepted his offer to help find them a London flat. Stephen Cochrane, aged 31, pleaded guilty to two charges of raping the women, aged 24 and 25, who were working as chambermaids in London. Mr Justice Owen told Cochrane, “this was a horrific, terrifying and disgusting experience for those women.”! After raping them on May 31 last year at the flat he led them to, Cochrane told them, “I’ve got AILD.S.,” the Old Bailey heard. ; His claim was not true but it added to the terror of the helpless; victims, Mr Justice Owen said. I The Court I heard that the rapist struck just three months after being released from a seven-year jail sentence (for robbery and wounding: He told his victims he was sexstarved after years in prison, said the prosecutor, Mr David Paget. They were living in staff accommodation in a central London: hotel while they were looking for teaching jobs but were desperate to! find a flat, the Court heard. I ! Counsel said Cochrane met them in a pub and told them his sister’s flat was available. He, took the pair to a flat in the north

London suburb of Finsbury, near where he lived with his mother at Stoke Newington, after they accepted his invitation to view it. But after showing them round he produced a carving knife, switched offl the lights and de- , manded sex. Mr Paget said, “At this ! point his whole mood j changed. He raped them both several times and forced them to take part in (a number of depraved and disgusting acts. The women were ordered to stijip and told they would be cut if they did not obey.” pne was tied up while * he raped the other, butl they fought to escape. j (While one of the victims was cut in the struggle, the other forced him to free them by threatening to hit him with a chair. |Mr Justice Owenj praised their courage in! standing up to the at-j' tacker. I"I admire their bra-; very; they are to be conj glratulated for what they did.” ! I I The Court heard that Cochrane had previous qonvictions for dishonesty , and violence and was sentenced to seven years jail ; in 1983 after smashing a ( glass in a man's face. ! robbing a man at knife- ! point, and breaking : the jaw of a football sup- ( porter. J ( Mr Justice Owen (said ! his actions against the two i women were offensive and demanded a heaxiy sentence. ■ !