A MAN has been jailed for life today (Tuesday, May 6) after being found guilty of a string of sex attacks.

Mark Anthony Thompson, 37, from Hospital Fields Road, in the Fulford area of York, was found guilty of three counts of rape, two counts of sexual assault, one count of kidnapping, one of attempted rape and one count of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Today (Tuesday) he received a life sentence at Teesside Crown Court and was told he must serve at least 11-and-a-half years in prison before being eligible for parole.

Thompson, who used a number of Christian names, was arrested last October. The court heard last week how he had kidnapped a student from Stonebow in York at about 4am as she walked home from a Halloween party.

The woman was then raped three times.

Earlier the same morning, Thompson, had been thrown out of a friend’s house, where he had been allowed to spend the night, after entering the bedroom of a woman living at the property with his trousers undone.

He also attacked a 24-year-old woman on Coney Street in York, in February 2009 and in July 2013 he assaulted a 32-year-old woman at a house in York.

Detective Chief Inspector Maria Taylor, who led the investigation, said: “Thompson is a violent and dangerous man who carried out a premeditated attack against a defenceless woman he preyed on at random. He subjected her to a horrifying and degrading ordeal.

“I believe that Thompson would have subjected his other victims to a similar trauma had he had the opportunity.”

DCI Taylor praised the victims for their bravery in reporting the crimes and having the courage to give evidence in court.

“Although this verdict can never undo the events they endured I hope the fact that Thompson will now go to prison brings them some comfort,” she said.