'Violent' York rapist Mark Thompson jailed for life
A man described by police as a "violent" rapist has been jailed for life for a string of attacks on women.
Mark Thompson, 37, of Hospital Fields, York, had abducted and raped a 20-year-old woman in the early hours of 29 October 2013 in York.
He also attacked a woman at a house he was staying at earlier the same day. He had attempted to assault two other women in 2009 and earlier in 2013.
Thompson was told he would spend at least 11 years and six months in jail.
He was convicted of rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, kidnap, attempted sexual assault and trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence at Teesside Crown Court on Friday.
Sentencing Thompson, Judge Michael Taylor told him he had shown no remorse.
"These offences amount to every woman's worst nightmare; truly horrific," he said.
"You will pursue women in the early hours of the morning. You will go into their own homes. You will not take no as an answer."
Det Ch Insp Maria Taylor, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "Thompson is a violent and dangerous man who carried out a premeditated attack against a defenceless woman he preyed on at random.
"He subjected her to a horrifying and degrading ordeal."
Det Ch Insp Taylor also praised Thompson's victims for coming forward.
"Although this verdict can never undo the events they endured I hope the fact that Thompson will now go to prison brings them some comfort," she said.