Local Headlines
Serial rapist Joseph McCann given 33 life sentences
"Classic psychopath" Joseph McCann has been handed 33 life sentences and a minimum term of 30 years for a string of horrific sex attacks on 11 women and children.
Convicted burglar McCann, 34, had been freed after a probation service error, two months before he embarked on a cocaine and vodka-fuelled rampage.
Over 15 days, he abducted, raped and assaulted victims aged between 11 and 71 in Watford, London and the North West.
He allegedly used a "support network" across the country to evade police, despite being identified as a suspect on the day of his first attack.
McCann, who had addresses in Aylesbury and Harrow, refused to attend his Old Bailey trial and hid under a prison blanket rather than give evidence.
It was claimed on his behalf that the women he was accused of molesting had consensual sex, but that was dismissed as "ludicrous" by victims.
Joseph McCann. Credit: Met Police
On Friday, the jury deliberated for five hours to find him guilty of 37 charges relating to 11 victims, including eight rapes, false imprisonment and kidnap.
On Monday, McCann failed to attend his sentencing at the Old Bailey, citing a "bad back".
In his absence, Mr Justice Edis handed him 33 life sentences with a minimum term of 30 years, saying McCann was a "classic psychopath".
He said: "This was a campaign of rape, violence and abduction of a kind which I have never seen or heard of before."
He said there should be an independent investigation into how the system "failed to protect" McCann's victims from him.
Mr Justice Edis said: "Joseph McCann you are very dangerous indeed to people who are weaker then you are.
"Among other things you are a coward and violent bully and a paedophile.
"Your grip on reality is quite tenuous, your instructions to lawyers were utterly ridiculous.
"You are entirely obsessed with yourself. In your world other people exist only for your pleasure and you have no ability to see the world in anybody's eyes other than your own.
"You are a classic psychopath."
Paying tribute to his victims, the judge said: "Each of these stories is tragic. I hope each will find a way to live through their ordeal and future happiness."
The court heard he had a string of convictions in the north west and south east of England, having received his first term behind bars at the age of 15.
While he had no convictions for sexual offences he did have a "history of violence and threats towards partners of his", prosecutor John Price QC said.
Crimes included escaping custody by grabbing and threatening a female Group 4 security guard with a plastic knife, possessing a blade, robbery and two burglaries.
Detective Chief Inspector Katherine Goodwin, who led the investigation, reacts on Friday to the news that McCann was found guilty of 37 offences
Since his release in February, McCann was seen by probation officers 10 times.
The last occasion was on April 19, three days before McCann committed his first rape.
A probation officer said McCann had attended the Watford probation office where he was served with a warning for failing to disclose a new relationship, under the terms of his licence because of his history of domestic violence.
McCann was "not happy" about it and when his new fiancee's parents found out about the condition they broke off the relationship because they thought he was a sex offender.
In a victim impact statement, one of McCann's victims told how her life had changed from being "thriving" to "surviving".
A spokesperson from childrens' charity NSPCC said: “McCann’s horrific attacks on women and children have left a trail of suffering that could take years to even begin to recover from.
“While nothing can erase the experiences that McCann made his victims endure, we hope they are now receiving the help they need to move on with their lives.”
The court heard how McCann snatched his first victim from the street in Watford and raped her in her own bed in the early hours of April 21.
The woman named her attacker to police, and McCann's details were put on the Police National Computer and a prison recall was issued.
But McCann remained at large and on April 25 he abducted a 25-year-woman in Walthamstow, and subjected her to a 14-hour rape ordeal.
Hours later, he was caught on CCTV bundling another young woman into his car in north London, as her sister ran off screaming.
They escaped in Watford, after the 25-year-old hit McCann over the head with a vodka bottle.
McCann pictured at Phoenix Lodge hotel in St Albans Road, Watford trying to book a room, with his two victims in his car. Credit: Met Police
Police cordons in Osborne Road, North Watford, where builders came to the rescue of two women and where McCann was hit with a vodka bottle
Read more: CCTV captures McCann at Watford hotel moments before he's struck with vodka bottle
The Metropolitan Police circulated a CCTV image of McCann in Watford and received a tip-off with his name following a public appeal.
On May 5, McCann tricked his way into the home of a woman he met in a bar in Greater Manchester, tied her up and molested her children, aged 17 and 11.
The teenage girl, who described McCann as "evil", jumped out of a first-floor window to alert police.
Later that day, McCann pounced on a 71-year-old woman. He raped her, and abducted and assaulted a 13-year-old girl in her car, before they got away.
As police closed in, McCann forced two 14-year-old girls into the car by threatening to "chop them up" with a machete.
He was captured on CCTV buying condoms at a service station before he was spotted by a patrol car, which gave chase.
McCann drove the wrong way on a roundabout and crashed into a Mercedes before making off on foot, leaving the "terrified" girls behind.
A police helicopter finally located him up a tree, he was coaxed down and arrested early on May 6.
McCann seen running from the police in Cheshire. Credit: Met Police
Read more:Â The moment McCann was arrested
The violent offender later told police: "If you had caught me for the first two, the rest of this wouldn't have happened."
McCann was convicted of 10 counts of false imprisonment, seven counts of rape, one count of rape of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, seven counts of kidnap, one count of attempted kidnap, three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, three counts of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault and two counts of committing a sexual offence with intent.
Following the verdicts, the Probation Service issued an "unreserved" apology for a blunder which led to McCann's release in February, halfway through a three-year sentence for burglary.
Prison service apologises after McCann freed in error
A probation officer was demoted after a Ministry of Justice review found McCann should have been immediately recalled to jail for an earlier offence.
Four men and two women have been arrested on suspicion of assisting McCann, and released under investigation.
Bucks Free Press
Hillingdon & Uxbridge Times
Oxford Mail
BBC News
Google News
Tel
Hillingdon Times News
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:22:59 +0100
Views sought on West Drayton traffic-calming experiment
PEOPLE in West Drayton are being asked to share their views on experimental traffic calming measures following complaints about persistent dangerous driving.original article
Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:16:38 +0100
Dentist relocates to bigger Uxbridge High Street site
A FAMILIARÂ Uxbridge High Street dental practice was officially reopened in new premises this week (17).original article
Fri, 19 Apr 2024 13:09:31 +0100
Colne Valley donations will be doubled in 'matching week'
SUPPORTERS of Colne Valley Regional Park are raising money to support their Countryside in Crisis campaign.original article
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:47:54 +0100
Hillingdon leads way on primary school place offers
 original article
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 16:02:31 +0100
Uxbridge firm's staff get stuck in to help environment
A GROUP of 50 volunteers from the General Mills food company in Uxbridge is helping Iver Environment Centre to mark World Earth Day.original article
Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:54:56 +0100
Uxbridge dad's marathon effort after son's tough start to life
SABE Karunananthan’s son, Noah, now aged four, was diagnosed with leukaemia two years ago.original article
Tue, 09 Apr 2024 08:20:49 +0100
London challenge follows daughter's cancer all-clear
It was in November 2020 that Gareth’s daughter Sienna was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. She was just four and, since then, has been treated at GOSH.original article
Sat, 13 Apr 2024 21:01:15 +0100
Hands-on with the riverflies at Denham Country Park
YOU can enjoy a hands-on experience learning about aquatic life and how to protect it at the Riverfly Survey Taster event in Denham Country Park.original article
Mon, 08 Apr 2024 14:43:11 +0100
The Northolt Four! New tunnelling machine joins HS2 line dig
CONSTRUCTION of the new HS2 rail line hit another major milestone with the launch of the fourth – and final – machine being used to bore the giant Northolt Tunnel.original article
Thu, 04 Apr 2024 18:47:14 +0100
Ceremony marks start of work on upgrading Hayes estates
A FLAGSHIP regeneration scheme in Hayes is underway.original article
Fri, 05 Apr 2024 08:07:51 +0100
LT Museum's Acton Town store prepares for first open day
LONDON Transport Museum is hosting its first Depot Open Days event of the year this month, offering an opportunity to explore behind the scenes of its giant store in Acton Town.original article
Thu, 04 Apr 2024 18:42:05 +0100
Paedophile jailed after hand tattoos link him to child abuse
A COMPLEX Met Police investigation, harnessing specialist digital techniques, has led to a dangerous sexual predator being jailed.original article
Fri, 29 Mar 2024 08:17:22 +0000
Three centuries apart: the link from capital to second city
NEW photographs and video published today (29) show the meeting of two engineering landmarks – as the UK’s longest rail bridge crosses the country’s longest canal.original article
Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:12:48 +0100
Metro Bank branches collect donations for Sikh charity
TO celebrate the Sikh New Year festival, Vaisakhi (April 13), nine Metro Bank stores are appealing for food to be donated in store in aid of the Gurseva foodbank.original article
Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:06:55 +0100
Store owner fined ÂŁ4,400 for selling unsafe cosmetics, plugs
A HAYES shopkeeper was prosecuted for selling unsafe goods and putting people’s lives in danger following an investigation by Hillingdon Council’s trading standards team.  original article
Wed, 27 Mar 2024 16:25:14 +0000
Suspect charged after Hayes murder case appeal by police
POLICE have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering Sean O'Neill in Hayes.original article
Tue, 26 Mar 2024 11:26:00 +0000
Face of man wanted for questioning by Hayes murder police
DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Sean O’Neill in Hayes have released details of a man they want to locate.original article
Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:55:09 +0000
Drugs-bust police arrest man in early-morning swoop in Hayes
POLICE today (20) arrested a 29-year-old man in Hayes and seized crack cocaine and heroin worth thousands of pounds.original article
Fri, 22 Mar 2024 19:45:37 +0000
Fake tobacco sales cost Hayes trader ÂŁ3,400 in court costs
A HAYES trader was ordered to pay more than £3,400 by Uxbridge magistrates for selling fake tobacco. original article
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 17:26:36 +0000
Ruislip pub raises ÂŁ3,000-plus from charity events
THE Woodman pub in Ruislip has raised more than ÂŁ3,100 for two charities through a fire walk and a music bingo night.original article
Mon, 18 Mar 2024 19:25:00 +0000
Hillingdon recycling bag service made more sustainable
HILLINGDON is relaunching its automatic recycling bag delivery service, to make it more efficient and sustainable.original article
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 11:19:17 +0000
Make friends with a slug, Middlesex wildlife group urges
SLUGS and snails are not the most popular visitors to our gardens, but a new campaign aims to give them a new image.original article
Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:48:42 +0000
Hayes man on murder charge after Dawley Avenue incident
A HAYES man appeared before magistrates on Saturday (9) charged with the murder of another man in the town.original article
Mon, 11 Mar 2024 14:54:12 +0000
Rural activities centre contributes to Happier Outdoors
YOU can help to build a bug hotel or tour Hillingdon Council’s community garden centre as part of a new London-wide festival celebrating health and nature.original article
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 15:26:22 +0000
Two GP practices will relocate into enlarged building
AN ÂŁ11m redevelopment is planned for Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital, which serves 20,000 patients.original article
Thu, 07 Mar 2024 17:02:57 +0000
Uxbridge MP at specialist FE sector's manifesto launch
UXBRIDGE MP Steve Tuckwell met students and staff from Orchard Hill College Park View Centre in Parliament to show his support for specialist further education.original article
Thu, 07 Mar 2024 09:28:14 +0000
Heartlink helps drivers tick over with health checks
A CHARITY that raises awareness of heart disease ensured lorry drivers were ticking over when they provided free blood pressure and heart rhythm checks.original article
Wed, 06 Mar 2024 07:39:17 +0000
New jobs24 platform launched in England and Wales with Newsquest
A new national recruitment site has been launched which combines 12 regional job sites under one platform called jobs24.co.uk.original article
Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:24:52 +0000
Hillingdon Ahmadi Muslims take peace message to gathering
FRIENDS and neighbours were invited by Hillingdon Ahmadi Muslim Association to a Discover Islam Week.original article
Mon, 04 Mar 2024 14:20:14 +0000
Huge new logistics centre approved for Hayes-Southall border
PLANNING permission has been granted to speculatively build a 90,000 sq ft logistics centre in Southall Lane, Hayes, which could create up to 150 jobs.original article
Thu, 29 Feb 2024 11:25:51 +0000
Hairy Biker Dave Myers dies aged 66, Si King confirms
The Hairy Bikers' Dave Myers has died 66, his co star and “best friend” Si King announced.original article
Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:09:52 +0000
Labour 'still committed to halting Uxbridge Library move'
HILLINGDON Labour say they remain opposed to the relocation of Uxbridge Library to the Civic Centre.original article
Tue, 27 Feb 2024 15:59:29 +0000
Full house! Hayes storage firm aims to pile up charity Easter eggs
COLLECTORS aim to fill a completely empty storage unit in Hayes with Easter eggs for struggling families.original article
Sun, 25 Feb 2024 18:13:57 +0000
Giant borer Emily starts digging HS2 Northolt Tunnel
A THIRD boring machine is digging the 8.4-mile Northolt Tunnel as part of the HS2 rail line.original article
Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:27:25 +0000
Hillingdon council tax to rise by 4.99 per cent from April
ÂŁ23.3m for a proposed new Water Sports and Outdoor Activity Centreoriginal article
Fri, 23 Feb 2024 17:38:27 +0000
Hillingdon pubs beer festival to feature 20 real ales
A RANGE of up to 20 real ales, including five from overseas, will be available at three Wetherspoon pubs in Hillingdon during their 12-day beer festival.original article
Fri, 23 Feb 2024 12:23:58 +0000
Hillingdon musical theatre group's tribute to Pythons
LOOK out for the Monty Python award-winning musical Spamalot in Hillingdon next month.original article
Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:34:39 +0000
T K Maxx to move from Pavilions shopping centre to Chimes
HOLLYWOOD Bowl is to take the whole of the upper floor of the former Debenhams store at The Chimes Shopping Centre in Uxbridge.original article
Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:49:51 +0000
Uxbridge students witness Canaveral satellite space launch
SIX students from Uxbridge and Feltham witnessed the historic launch of the Space X Falcon 9 rocket from Cocoa Beach, Florida, last week.original article
Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:45:13 +0000
Hillingdon winners toasted at West London Business Awards
TWO Hillingdon winners, Marriott Hotel and Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce, were recognised at this year’s West London Business Awards.original article
Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:35:11 +0000
Yeading pupils given money advice by Southall bank staff
THREE Southall Metro Bank colleagues, Zaineb Butt, Heena Vaghela and Neetu Shinh, delivered an session of Money Zone to Year 3 pupils at Yeading Junior School in Hayes.original article
Fri, 16 Feb 2024 11:59:56 +0000
Labour candidate leads protest to Culture Secretary
Relocation is expected to save ÂŁ412,000 per year on business rates, utilities, cleaning and staffing costs.original article
Fri, 16 Feb 2024 17:46:38 +0000
Road safety students take on Hillingdon Dragon's Den
SAFETY-conscious children competed in a Dragons’ Den-style event hosted by Hillingdon Council to try to win their school funds for road safety and sustainable travel improvements.original article
Wed, 14 Feb 2024 16:24:59 +0000
Hospital status changed after Care Quality inspection
HILLINGDON Hospital’s maternity services rating has dropped from good to requires improvement, following an inspection in August.original article
Wed, 14 Feb 2024 14:24:04 +0000
LOCALiQ UK named Europe’s Rising Star of the Year
The Microsoft Partner Awards honour digital marketing partners who go above and beyondoriginal article
Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:13:14 +0000
Harefield's still-devoted Valentines - 61 years on!
ON the eve of Valentine’s Day, a couple in a Harefield care home reflected on their 61 years of marriage and shared their secrets for a happy union.original article
Tue, 13 Feb 2024 14:08:35 +0000
Hospice wins contract to give Ealing carers welcome break
HARLINGTON Hospice is to provide short breaks for adult carers in the boroughs of Hounslow and Ealing.original article
Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:55:28 +0000
Views sought on Hillingdon plans to avoid flooding
RESIDENTS’ views are being sought by Hillingdon Council on its draft Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.original article
Mon, 12 Feb 2024 14:51:47 +0000
Hillingdon orchestra to stage evening of film favourites
FOR their next performance, Hillingdon Philharmonic Orchestra invites you to a concert of film music from some of the best-loved family movies.original article
Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:16:29 +0000
Estate agents' birthday pledge to help Harlington Hospice
TO mark their 30th birthday, Cameron Estate Agents are on a mission to raise at least ÂŁ30,000 for Harlington Hospice and its inpatient unit, Michael Sobell House.original article
Last updated by System Admin on 27th August, 2018