Man who raped schoolgirl in Shrewsbury had done time for arson attack

Matthew Gill, 23, grabbed a 14-year-old as she walked to school and dragged her into bushes before she was stabbed with a knife, gagged, bound and brutally raped.

Gill was jailed at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Monday.

Four years ago he was locked up for setting fire to his neighbour's house while the man's wife and baby were inside.

Gill, of Reedham Road, in Herongate, Shrewsbury, was given a discretionary life sentence this week by Judge Robin Onions at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

The victim was screaming and pleading for her life as she was threatened with a kitchen knife during the horrific 20-minute ordeal.

Gill had selected his young victim at random having watched a number of violent rape pornography films on his laptop the previous night.

The offence took place on Wednesday, May 13 on a footpath running through a wooded area off the Ellesmere Road in Shrewsbury. Gill was arrested on the same day.

Judge Onions said reports on the defendant made "deeply troubling reading" and that he had no doubt Gill posed a risk to the public and a number of known individuals.

He will serve a minimum of five years and four months in prison after admitting rape and two counts of attempted rape and will not be eligible for release until a parole board has considered the level of risk. Upon release, he will remain on licence for the rest of his natural life.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson, who led the investigation for West Mercia Police, said today:"This was a horrific sex attack on a young girl who was walking to her friend's house when she was violently assaulted.

"Matthew Gill had clearly gone out that day to commit such an offence. There is no question that he is a dangerous individual and I am satisfied with the sentence given by the court.

"I would like to take this opportunity to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward and reporting this horrific offence to police. Specially trained officers will continue to work closely with her and help to provide the support she needs to come to terms with this terrible crime.

"The victim's family also showed significant strength and the sentence given to Gill will hopefully help them all to move on from this awful time."

Judge Onions said Gill had a history of fire setting and harboured feelings of revenge over many years. The judge said the consequences of the fire could have been disastrous.