Man, 21, admits rape in cemetery

Monday 28th September 2009, 2:45PM BST.

Police A 21-year-old man today admitted raping and sexually assaulting an 80-year-old woman in a Shropshire cemetery.

Haydyn Mellor, of no fixed abode, admitted carrying out the attack in the cemetery in Hengoed, Oswestry, on July 23.

He appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court today and pleaded guilty to two charges of rape, one of sexual touching and one of stealing the victim’s purse.

Judge Robin Onions said: “I am going to reserve this case to me because of the nature and seriousness of the matter.

“I am going to require a lot of convincing that this man is not dangerous. It is as bad a case as I have come across in my experience.”

Judge Onions told Mellor: “A lengthy custodial sentence is inevitable, the only choice is whether that sentence is determinate or indeterminate, when only a parole board will decided when you will be released.”

The case was adjourned for a report and Mellor was remanded in custody.

The victim had been visiting the cemetery to attend one of the graves when she was set upon by Mellor. She was left seriously traumatised by the daytime attack.

After the incident police attended a public meeting to try to reassure residents.

The parish council also looked at general safety issues at the isolated cemetery and has since cleared away undergrowth to make the area less hidden.

View more: Oswestry news, Shrewsbury news.