Indefinite sentce an option for Grahame Park man who committed rape in Victoria Park, Finchley (From Times Series)

Indefinite sentce an option for Grahame Park man who committed rape in Victoria Park, Finchley

1:13pm Monday 22nd March 2010 in

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A MAN could face an indefinite prison sentence after admitting the rape of a jogger in a Finchley park.

At Wood Green Crown Court today Richard Shaw, 27, pleaded guilty to the attack on a Czech woman in Victoria Park, off Ballards Lane, on September 16.

He had been due to stand trial today after initially denying the charge of rape, but changed his plea this morning.

Shaw, of Dunn Mead, Grahame Park, attacked the woman as she jogged in the quiet park at around 8pm, punching her in the face and dragging her into bushes where he raped her.

Judge Simon Carr ordered psychiatric and probation reports, saying: “I'm considering the issue of dangerousness. It seems to me this case may well require an indefinite sentence.”

He told Shaw: “You have pleaded very late, but you have pleaded guilty and I give you credit for that.

“The greater you degree of cooperation with probation and psychiatrists the greater the degree of latitude you give me.

“The less you cooperate the more restricted my options become.”

Shaw was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at the court on Friday, May 7.