Sinister moment woman is led to deserted area by stranger, 28, who then stamped on her, stripped her naked and stole her jewellery as a ‘trophy’ is revealed – as he is convicted of attempted murder
- Matthew Stevens took a taxi from Newcastle city centre with victim around 3am
- 28-year-old is first seen on CCTV with the woman and 50 minutes later alone
- She was discovered naked, seriously injured and semi-conscious by dog walker
This is the sinister moment a woman was led to a deserted area by a dangerous stranger who tried to kill her after they met on a night out as he is convicted of attempted murder.
The victim had been out drinking in Newcastle city centre in March when she met Matthew Stevens, who was out separately with a friend.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that the pair began chatting and took a taxi back to the village where Stevens lives, at just before 3am.
CCTV footage shows Stevens and the woman, who is in her 30s and from Gateshead, walking together through the deserted streets after being dropped off by the cab.
The victim had been out drinking in Newcastle city centre in March when she met Matthew Stevens, who was out separately with a friend
Less than an hour later Stevens appears on the footage, walking back where they came from, alone.
The victim was later discovered by a dog walker, naked, seriously injured and semi conscious, in a grassed area.
She was wearing only socks in a woodland close to the A1, had suffered a number of injuries and was hypothermic – her body temperature having plummeted to just 30C.
The court heard Stevens had taken a bracelet from the victim as a ‘trophy or memento’ for the murderous attack and left her to die.
Stevens, of Drysdale Crescent, Brunswick, Newcastle, had admitted wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm to the victim but denied attempted murder.
After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court he has been convicted of attempted murder.
Judge Robert Adams said Stevens will be sentenced next March, after the preparation of reports to assess the future danger he poses.
Prosecutor Gavin Doig said that clothing belonging to the woman, including her underwear, was found on a street in a separate location to where she was discovered.
CCTV footage shows Matthew Stevens and the woman, who is in her 30s, walking together through the deserted streets after being dropped off by the cab
The victim is seen with Stevens on the CCTV, but less than an hour later Stevens appears on the footage, walking back where they came from, alone. The victim was later discovered by a dog walker, naked, seriously injured and semi conscious, in a grassed area
The court heard Stevens, 28, carried out a first attack then dragged his victim across a field to continue the violence and eventually left her to die.
Mr Doig said: ‘(The complainant) and her friend went out in Newcastle city centre on the evening of the 10th of March, they went to a bar called Bob’s Bar in the centre of town.
‘The defendant arrived in the same bar some time afterwards.’
The court heard that after security staff had warned the defendant about his behaviour inside, Stevens and the woman waited for a taxi to collect them at around 3am, which dropped them off in Brunswick.
Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Stevens and the woman walking through a residential street at 03:08am after the taxi dropped them off.
Stevens is then captured on the footage again around 50 minutes later, which the prosecution claim was after he attacked her.
Mr Doig said: ‘This defendant, the prosecution say, attempted to murder her. He left her unconscious, badly injured and naked.
‘Fortunately, early the next morning a dog walker was out with his dogs and came across (the victim).
‘He saw her at about 6am and called 999. She was taken to hospital where she was treated. She has recovered from her physical injuries.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Inspector Tam Fowler of Northumbria Police said: ‘This was a sinister attack which I’m sure will stay with the victim for some time, and I hope today gives her that first step towards the closure she needs and deserves’ (pictured: police at the scene in the Aged Miners Home area of Brunswick Village, Newcastle)
The court heard Stevens had taken a bracelet from the victim as a ‘trophy or memento’ for the murderous attack and left her to die
‘This attack took place in two different locations.
‘He attacked (the victim) at scene one and stripped her clothing from her. He then dragged or carried her to a more secluded wooded area.’
During the trial, the jury heard that there is body worn camera footage of the victim from the first officer on the scene and pictures of her injuries taken in hospital.
Mr Doig said: ‘These are extremely unpleasant images and I’m sorry about that.
‘However the prosecution intend to prove the defendant tried to murder her and in order for you to decide whether we have proved that, I’m afraid you have to see for yourself how and where she was left.’
The victim suffered severe swelling to her face and eyes, a punctured lung, lacerations to her face, a broken nose, and was suffering from hypothermia when she was discovered at the scene.
The court also heard that her shoes had mud stains on the back and the sides but not on the sole, which the prosecution claim was due to the fact she had been dragged through grass.
Jewellery belonging to her was also later found at Stevens’ address, which Mr Doig said was a ‘trophy or a memento’ from the attempted killing.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Inspector Tam Fowler of Northumbria Police said: ‘This was a sinister attack which I’m sure will stay with the victim for some time, and I hope today gives her that first step towards the closure she needs and deserves.
Stevens had admitted wounding with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm to the victim but denied attempted murder. After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court he has been convicted of attempted murder. Judge Robert Adams said Stevens will be sentenced next March, after the preparation of reports to assess the future danger he poses (pictured: a police cordon at the scene)
‘Her bravery and courage throughout these proceedings has been remarkable and I am pleased the jury saw through the lies told by Stevens about his actions and intentions that night.
‘He is a dangerous man who should not be afforded the luxury of living in our communities and I am pleased he faces a significant custodial sentence.
‘Stevens’ motivations were clear and thanks to the evidence gathered, we were able to show the court how he isolated his victim, taking her away from herfriend to an area she didn’t know to carry out the attack, and when he was finished, he left her alone in a field, without her clothes, phone or any ways to get home or call help, with significant facial injuries which she would have died from, had the dog walker not found her.
‘I hope our communities know this type of despicable behaviour can never be excused or tolerated and as a force we will do all we can to put offenders like Stevens before the courts.
‘Violence of any kind is completely unacceptable and I would like to thank all the officers, staff and witnesses who came forward to help us with this case, and ensure a dangerous, violent man is no longer able to harm anyone else.’
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