A man who subjected a woman to a series of horrific sexual assaults and threatened to bomb her workplace while claiming to be Osama Bin Laden has been sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Details of the Case
Ross Fyles, from Birkenhead, Merseyside, committed multiple offences including rape at knifepoint, forcing a fake gun into the victim's mouth, and threatening to shoot her. The twice-convicted sex offender also engaged in violent physical attacks, such as throwing scissors that became embedded in her back.
During one incident, Fyles punched the complainant, pulled her hair, and spat at her before pressing a knife to her throat, stating, "all it will take is one push." He also bombarded her with abusive messages and left a voicemail at her workplace, claiming to be Osama Bin Laden and vowing to "blow the office building up" and cut her colleagues' faces off one by one.
Previous Convictions
Fyles has 21 prior convictions for 33 offences, including arson and two counts of sexual activity with a child from 2016, which left a 13-year-old girl pregnant.
Court Proceedings
At Liverpool Crown Court, defending barrister Katy Appleton referenced a pre-sentence report, noting that Fyles' mother left when he was seven, leading to feelings of isolation and rejection. She argued that a determinate sentence of significant length would suffice, rather than a life sentence.
Fyles was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and stalking. He received a 16-year prison sentence with an extended licence period of three years.
Sentencing Remarks
Recorder Mark Shepherd stated that Fyles had subjected his victim to "threats, intimidation, sexual violence and assaults with and without weapons, all calculated to maximise fear and distress." He noted that the victim had been "psychologically scarred" and that Fyles posed a significant ongoing risk of serious harm.
Fyles must serve two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for parole. He was also given an indefinite restraining order and placed on the sex offenders' register for life.
