Press release: Yorkshire moorland rapist has sentence increased

A 55 year old man who kidnapped, assaulted and raped a woman has had his sentence increased after the Solicitor General, Robert Buckland QC MP, referred it to the Court of Appeal.

Malcolm Lockwood followed his victim from her home to some nearby woods where he physically assaulted and threatened to kill her. He then forced her to enter his car and they drove for several hours, with Lockwood posting unpleasant and sexually explicit messages on the victim’s social media accounts. Lockwood then parked the car in an isolated area where he raped the victim and filmed it.

The ordeal ended when the victim was found in the early hours of the morning by police after a search. When speaking to police the victim stated she believed she would have died had the police not found her. She has also moved house and changed her car for fear of being found by Lockwood.

Lockwood was originally sentenced in January to 14 and a half years in prison with an extension period of 8 years at Leeds Crown Court. Today, the Court of Appeal has increased his sentence to 18 years in prison with an extension period of 8 years.

Commenting on this decision the Solicitor General said:

“Lockwood submitted his victim to a horrific and prolonged ordeal that has had a significant impact on the victim’s way of life. I am pleased that the Court of Appeal has today decided to increase his sentence, and hope that this can bring some comfort to the victim.”