Violent Rapist Receives 23-Year Sentence for Horrific Five-Hour Ordeal
Bo Yang, a 41-year-old man from Sheffield, has been handed a substantial 23-year prison sentence for committing a series of violent crimes against a woman in Burnley, Lancashire. The sentence includes 18 years of custodial time followed by five years on extended licence, with deportation proceedings to follow upon his eventual release.
A Night of Terror in Burnley
The horrific incident unfolded on the evening of April 15 last year when Yang arrived at the victim's home in Burnley shortly after 11pm. What began as an argument about money quickly escalated into a nightmare when Yang produced a knife from his pocket, forcing the terrified woman beside a bed and slashing her clothing to pieces.
The violence intensified when Yang retrieved a metal bar from a bag and proceeded to brutally beat the victim before subjecting her to multiple sexual assaults over a prolonged five-hour period. In a further act of cruelty, he bound her with rope and wrapped tape around her head, then used the knife to inflict additional injuries.
Escape and Investigation
The victim finally managed to escape when Yang momentarily turned his back, fleeing to neighbouring properties where residents alerted police at 3.46am. Lancashire Police launched an immediate investigation that utilized multiple forensic techniques, including CCTV analysis and fingerprint evidence recovered from the tape used during the attack.
In what investigators believe represents a Lancashire first, crucial digital evidence was also obtained from WeChat, the Chinese messaging application similar to WhatsApp. This technological evidence proved instrumental in building the case against Yang.
Comprehensive Conviction and Sentencing
Following his arrest, Yang was charged with two counts of rape, sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, robbery, and possession of a bladed article. After a trial at Preston Crown Court in December, he was found guilty on all counts.
During sentencing, the court heard how Yang had not only physically and sexually assaulted his victim but had also robbed her of bank cards and cash. He even attempted to transfer money to his own account using facial recognition technology on her mobile phone.
Victim Impact and Police Response
In a powerful victim impact statement, the woman described suffering from persistent nightmares and insomnia, with both her mental and physical health severely compromised by the traumatic experience.
Detective Constable Jodie Nolan, who worked on the case alongside DC Asad Mirdad from the Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Team, welcomed the significant sentence. "Yang is an extremely violent sexual predator who exposed his victim to a sustained and horrific ordeal," she stated. "I would like to again thank the jury for their guilty verdicts and the investigation team for obtaining the vital evidence which helped secure this conviction."
The presiding judge specifically commended the work of the investigating officers in bringing Yang to justice. Lancashire Police confirmed that deportation proceedings will be initiated as soon as Yang becomes eligible for release by the Parole Board.
