Wirral man jailed for kidnapping and sexually assaulting victim after using ‘injured’ dog as trap

A man who kidnapped and assaulted a woman then dragged a female police officer into his house has been jailed for 16 years.

Daniel Jones, 47, of Borough Road, Birkenhead, stopped a woman and asked her to help him after screaming that his dog had been run over.

He persuaded her to carry the dog into his house and police said once inside, Jones prevented the woman from leaving his property and sexually assaulted her.

The female officer who first arrived on the scene said: “If we as the police had not intervened, it is my personal belief that Daniel [Jones] would have killed his victim.”

Merseyside Police received reports at around 10.45am on July 26 last year that Jones was behaving erratically on Borough Road.

A female police officer attended the scene and Jones dragged her inside his house, prevented her from leaving and made threats towards her.

The officer placed herself between Jones and the victim and shouted to her to run, before more police arrived and detained Jones.

‘I will never forget what happened that day’

The female officer has spoken about the ordeal, she said: “Throughout my career and my life, I will never forget what happened that day.

“I vividly remember being deployed to that job and at first not thinking much of it.

“However, when I attended the address I knew something was wrong and I am grateful to not only my own instincts but also my colleagues and our perseverance at knocking at the address.

“I still can’t believe what Daniel [Jones] did to us that day. After reflecting on the incident, I feel one of his intentions for attacking us was because we are women.

“If we as the police had not intervened, it is my personal belief that Daniel [Jones] would have killed his victim.

“If my colleagues had not come to my assistance as quick as they did I believe Daniel [Jones] would have sexually assaulted and killed me.”

Jones ‘subjected two women to an utterly horrendous ordeal’

Detective chief inspector Paul Parry from Merseyside Police’s Unity Team said: “We welcome that Jones is now behind bars after subjecting two women to an utterly horrendous ordeal.

“The way in which Jones deceived one of his victims by pretending to be in need of help before kidnapping and assaulting her was nothing short of despicable. I hope that he will reflect on the consequences of his actions while serving his significant jail time.

“I hope that the fact that Jones is off our streets and can no longer cause fear and harm to other women will provide some comfort to his victims and will help them move on from their ordeal.”

Assistant chief constable Ngaire Waine praised the ‘incredible bravery’ shown by the female officer.

She said: “Her quick thinking and courage while faced with such violence is a credit to the force and an example of the brilliant work our officers do, day in day out to keep our communities safe.”

She added that tackling violence and intimidation against women and girls was ‘a clear, immediate priority’ for Merseyside Police.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to reassure anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that, if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with your case sensitively and make sure that your report is properly and thoroughly investigated. There is no time limit for reporting this type of crime and we take every report extremely seriously,” she said.

Jones was sentenced to 16 years in jail at Liverpool Crown Court, with a further eight years on licence, after admitting two counts of sexual assault by penetration, two counts of false imprisonment, threats to kill and assault of an emergency worker.

Help and support

Anyone with information or wants to report a sexual offence is asked to call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers or you can pass information to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Support for victims is also available through the registered charity the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre Cheshire and Merseyside, who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063 or Rape and Sexual Assault Merseyside (RASA) on 0151 558 1801. In an emergency, always call 999.