There are things that have to be sorted out..
Now, we know, Karen didn't go back to his house after a meeting at the pub to get 'a punnet of tomato's. '.....
She was at the pub, this has been established, but it hasn't been established that Cardamone was there also. .. . yet somehow, he knew she was home alone. I think. He may have been prepared, perhaps even willing, to murder her daughter and son as well. We know Karen was the target, but only because , as it turns out, she was indeed the target, but only Cardamone knows who was the primary target for sure , in his fantasy, he may have had his eye on multiple targets. Not known, as yet.
She was, according to the police statement, attacked at her home, and rendered hideously helpless and unable to defend herself or escape. A horrible terrifying experience, and Cardamone would be completely aware of these components of the attack. Physical agony wasn't enough. She had to be terrified and she had to know she couldn't get away. She would already know that no one could hear her.
And it seems obvious , now, that Cardamone's next victim, as far as is known , was most likely going to end up murdered by him. Just as Bailey had no intention of being done for aggravated rape again, so also, Cardamone. His next victim was not going to be permitted to testify, .. any other conclusion defies common sense.
But still , the pantomime of 'early release' and unsupervised parole, generous conditions applying , the persistence of hope over known experience continues.