Leeds sexual predator who raped pensioner jailed for life

Tremayne Gaskell was given the sentence after a judge told him he would continue to pose a serious risk to vulnerable women while he was free.

A jury heard the 46-year-old has an “atrocious” criminal record for violence towards woman after he was found guilty of two offences of rape and one of robbery against his 68-year-old victim.

Gaskell armed himself with a knife before targeting the victim, described as a “trusting and vulnerable lady” in a pub in Leeds city centre shortly after he was released from prison.

He was allowed back to her home before he locked the door and threatened her with the weapon. He then used tape to tie her up before robbing her of her jewellery and subjecting her to the sex attacks.

The woman’s ordeal did not end until the next morning. Gaskell told the woman he would come back and kill her.

Gaskell was told he must serve a minimum of nine years in prison before he can apply to the parole board for release.

Judge James Spencer, QC, said: “It was cruel. It was nasty, and it shows you for what you are.

“In my judgement you are a dangerous man.”

Gaskell, of Springwell View, Holbeck, Leeds, was arrested two days after the attack, which took place on February 4 this year.

The jury rejected his claims during the trial that his victim had consented to sex.

Gaskell was out of jail on licence for a three-and-a-half-year sentence imposed in September 2012 for stabbing a woman in the face and neck at a house in Farnley in Leeds.

He has a long criminal history for serious violent offences. One attack involved a woman suffering an eye injury when she was struck in the face with a pistol. Gaskell has spent almost every day of his life in prison since 2002.

Det Chief Inspector Mark Griffin, who heads Leeds District Safeguarding Unit, said: “These offences clearly show that Gaskell is a sexual predator who presents a serious danger to women.

“We believe he cynically preyed on the vulnerable victim from the outset and had sinister intentions towards her all along. She was put through a prolonged ordeal which has understandably had a lasting traumatic effect on her.”