Moment evil soldier who raped woman in town centre is caught cowering in toilet cubicle after fleeing ‘horrific’ attack
THIS is the moment an “evil” soldier who raped a woman after dragging her off the street was caught hiding in a loo.
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that Private John Harvey didn’t know the woman, who is in her 20s.
The 25-year-old man targeted her and dragged her off the street in Shrewsbury, Shropshire.
He then raped the terrified victim twice during the “horrific” 20-minute attack.
Harvey, who lived at a military barracks near Market Drayton and had a “respectable” army career, attacked the woman in the early hours of July 6 last year.
After raping her, Harvey – who is said to be an “educated man with a degree” – fled and the woman bravely called police.
Later, Judge Richard McConaghy said the recording of the 999 call was “harrowing” to listen to.
Cops swarmed the area in their hunt for the sick soldier.
Harvey was found hours later at around 6.30am, cowering inside a toilet cubicle at Shrewsbury train station.
He had missed his last train and headed back towards the woman he attacked.
But a court heard he was “put off” by the fact she was on the phone to the police and went back to the train station to hide.
Bodycam footage showed the moment officers handcuffed him after forcing open the door.
Harvey initially admitted raping the woman but then changed his plea, forcing the survivor to face him in court.
During the trial at Shrewsbury Crown Court, the jury heard the victim had been forced to relive “the worst moment of my life repeatedly”.
Following a nine-day trial in February, Harvey was found guilty of rape by a unanimous verdict.
Yesterday, he was jailed for nine years and ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Detective Constable Sam Jones, from Shropshire’s Reactive CID, said: “I am extremely pleased with the sentence that has been given to Harvey by the judge today, as he is a danger to the wider public, in particular women.
“In July last year Harvey committed a purely evil crime.
“Despite admitting to the offences during a police interview when he was arrested, he then changed his story at court, subjecting his victim and her loved ones to sit through a trial and relive that awful night.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victim for her bravery and resilience throughout the entire investigation and trial.”