Tuesday 12 February 2019

Life For Sex Predator Who Struck After Prison Release

A serial sexual predator is back behind bars for attacking a young woman just three months after his release from a 31-year life sentence for rape.

Joseph Galloway, 68, pounced on the terrified woman, aged in her twenties, from behind after following her from a bus and pushed her to the ground as she screamed for help.

He pleaded guilty to falsely imprisoning the woman and additionally falsely imprisoning her, with intent to commit a sexual offence, in Prince Georges Road, Colliers Wood on September 5, last year.

Galloway also pleaded guilty to robbing her of her purse and possessing a blade when he was arrested four days later.

At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court today heavily tattooed bearded Galloway was sentenced to life imprisonment with a five-year minimum.

On June 4, last year he was released from a life sentence imposed in 1987 for rape, inflicting grievous bodily harm and robbery.

In 1981 he received seven years imprisonment for inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent to rape.

Galloway was housed in a flat above a jewellery and gift store next-door to a hairdressers in affluent East Sheen, south-west London in Upper Richmond Road West, just 100m from a kids nursery.

He was loitering around Colliers Wood Underground Station at 9.20pm and followed the victim when she exited her train and boarded a bus on her way home.

She did not know Galloway was following her when she got off the bus and began walking along a road, which has industrial and factory units on either side.

He attacked her from behind and she screamed and fought off his sexual advances.

A female witness heard her screams and bravely followed Galloway back to the tube station, trailing him to Tooting Broadway and giving police a vital description, which helped quickly identify him.

He was identified using his Oyster travel card on CCTV, which revealed he traveled in the Mortlake area and officers from their Safer Neighbourhoods Team and the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO) arrested him.

Galloway was originally charged with attempted rape, which he denied, and this was dropped on the first day of his trial.

Detective Inspector Rory Wilkinson of CASO said: “I welcome the court’s decision to keep this dangerous man away from society.

“He has proved himself to be a serial offender with no remorse and a capability of committing heinous crimes of this nature again.

“The victim’s bravery throughout the whole identification and court process has been remarkable and reflects her actions of defence during the attack.

“Not only did she avoid serious injury, but also stopped Galloway committing a serious sexual offence against her.

“In fighting back she alerted a passer-by who subsequently called and assisted police. 

“I would lastly like to thank this witness, who not only called police, but followed the suspect, enabling us to identify him.

“With her assistance we were able to make a swift arrest and hold Galloway accountable for his actions.”

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