'Dangerous' man found guilty of raping woman twice in Shrewsbury town centre
A man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Shrewsbury town centre last summer.
John Harvey, of Clive Barracks in Tern Hill, Market Drayton, was convicted at Shrewsbury Crown Court following a nine-day trial after he attacked the woman in Mardol.
The court was told how, in the early hours of July 7, 2024, 25-year-old Harvey approached a woman in her 20s who he did not know.
He then sexually assaulted the woman and raped her twice before fleeing the scene.
The victim contacted police immediately after the incident, and officers were able to track down Harvey, hiding in the men's toilets at Shrewsbury railway station.
He was then arrested and charged with two counts of rape and one count of sexual assault. He was found guilty by a jury of all three counts.
Detective Constable Sam Jones, from Shropshire’s Reactive CID, said: “I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and resilience throughout the entire investigation and trial.
“Harvey committed an evil crime and, despite admitting to the offences during interview, he then denied them, subjecting the victim and her family to sit through a court trial.
“I welcome the guilty verdict given by the jury as Harvey is clearly a very dangerous man.”
Harvey has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Thursday, March 27.
You can report cases of rape or sexual assault to West Mercia Police via its website Report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences | West Mercia Police.
Always call 999 in an emergency.
