Derbyshire man jailed for life for raping and trying to kill woman in brutal early-morning attack

Dad-of-two Anthony Dealey must serve a minimum jail term of 13-and-a-half-years after a jury found him guilty of four charges relating to the sickening attack in Ilkeston in November last year.

The 43-year-old, of Erewash Square, Ilkeston, attacked the woman as she was walking along Queens Avenue in the town in the early hours of Sunday, November 26 2017.

She was approached from behind by Dealey. He grabbed her and forced his victim to the floor before raping her.

A CCTV still of Dealey shortly before he carried out the attack.

He throttled the woman which left her unconscious and then left her for dead on the ground.

Dealey was found guilty of attempted murder, rape, sexual assault and robbery following a trial at Derby Crown Court in September.

The jury heard that his DNA and a fingerprint were found on the woman and her belongings.

When officers visited his house in April this year, they took a DNA sample and his fingerprints.

After being examined by experts they proved positive and he was arrested and later charged.

Speaking after Dealey was sentenced today (Friday), Detective Superintendent Gareth Meadows said: “I would personally like to recognise the bravery of the victim in this case.

“Although she had a terrible ordeal which no-one should ever have to experience, she remained strong, providing us with her account, a description to enable us to create an artist’s impression and she was interviewed for a media appeal and gave us information to film a re-construction.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the public. The response that we had following our media appeals was overwhelming and it was the public that led us to Anthony Dealey.

“As part of the investigation our officers conducted a number of house to house visits in the area and a large number of men voluntarily provided a DNA sample, this was a key part of the investigation and I would like to thank all that took part for their co-operation.

“This sentence reflects the severity of the crime and I hope that the victim can now start to re-build her life after this terrible ordeal that she has suffered.”