Wallsend man sentenced for violent sexual attack on vulnerable woman

A man who subjected a vulnerable woman to a terrifying and sustained sexual assault has been sentenced today at Newcastle Crown Court. 

Liam Maughan, 38, of Marine Avenue, Wallsend was sentenced after pleading guilty to multiple offences relating to the attack. In November 2022, Maughan invited the woman to his home after finding out that she had nowhere to stay. A few days later, the victim told Maughan that she wished to leave. She visited a friend, returning to Maughan’s house a few hours later after being unable to find anywhere else to stay that night.

Shortly after her arrival, Maughan punched and slapped the woman, verbally abusing her before whipping her with a skipping rope. When she tried to leave, he told her that she couldn’t as he thought she would tell police what had happened. Maughan then went on to commit a vicious physical and sexual assault on her.

Charlotte Dennison of the CPS said: “Maughan’s violent sexual assault on his vulnerable victim must have been utterly terrifying for her. At one point during the assault. he strangled her into unconsciousness, later arming himself with knives and threatening to kill her.

“It was only when he agreed to let the victim use the toilet that she managed to escape through the bathroom window. When police attended the scene and arrested Maughan, his victim was found visibly shaken and distressed nearby.

“We have worked closely with the police, piecing together forensic images of the victim’s injuries and her account of the attack to build a robust case against Maughan.

“Our thoughts remain with Maughan’s victim, whose suffering at his hands was significant. We sincerely hope that the significant sentence given to her attacker today provides some measure of comfort to her.”