Caldicot rapist struck while on parole (From South Wales Argus)

Caldicot rapist struck while on parole

A CONVICTED rapist who committed a sex attack while out on licence for a vicious rape was sent back to prison yesterday.

BACK BEHIND BARS: Daniel Collins

Daniel Collins, 47, of Newport Road, Caldicot, admitted sexually assaulting a woman last summer in her own home.

Cardiff Crown Court heard yesterday how the assault happened while Collins, formerly of Beaufort, Ebbw Vale, was on licence for raping and assaulting a woman on a footpath in the Brynmawr area in 2007. This time Collins, who was previously known as Matthew Fieldhouse before changing his name by deed poll, and the woman were chatting and drinking alcohol that night and had consensual sex.

Lucy Crowther, prosecuting, said Collins’ behaviour changed and he became confrontational, agitated and “utterly bizarre.”

She asked him to leave and thought he had but found him sitting on her landing when she woke later on to use the toilet.

Collins then grabbed her and pushed her onto the bed and threatened to slit her throat with a knife he’d picked up and tried to pull her legs apart.

The woman started banging on the parting wall to try to wake neighbours.

Ms Crowther said Collins had pinned her down and was lying on top of her before he cut his own wrist with the knife, got up and left the house.

Police found Collins sitting in his own living room with a seven-inch long knife to his throat.

He was arrested and told police he had wanted to kill himself.

Ms Crowther said the woman was terrified and had suffered panic attacks.

David Webster, for Collins, said his client has no recollection of what happened, initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea at his own instigation.

Judge John Curran said the pre-sentence report presents him as posing a serious risk to women and said he displayed a “degree of deviousness while on licence.”

The judge gave Collins an indeterminate sentence.

He will have to serve two years and nine months before he can apply for release.

Collins’ victim told the Argus she is still frightened and has “terrible” flashbacks.

She said: “The fact he was on licence didn’t stop him and that’s why I’mfrightened.

“I feel now he’s back in the right place and hopefully he’ll stay there and won’t be able to do it again.”