UK UK - Claudia Lawrence, 35, Chef, York University, 18 March 2009 #7

[Andyboy]

I will look for it. Atm I'm still thinking, MFT (MT) was free, when CL went missing.

Rapist guilty of nine charges
May 3rd, 2014

Thompson had been arrested last October (has to be 2013) after kidnapping a student in York, forcing her into his van and raping her three times during a terrifying drive betyween York and Malton.

Last summer (has to be 2013), he also tried to rape a 32-year-old woman in her house in York. And in 2009, he sexually assaulted a 23-year-old York woman in an alleyway off Coney Street.

His offending started in 2009 with him groping a woman in Coney Street until a passer-by and nearby doormen intervened, and it ended last October (has to be 2013) with him bundling a student into the back of his white van and raping her repeatedly in York and at Kirkham Priory near Malton.
The student had been on her way home alone from a night club, where she worked to part-fund her studies.

Thompson has been in custody since his arrest in the afternoon of October 29 (has to be 2013) and has been remanded in prison until Tuesday.

Five-year wait for justice of rapist’s earlier victim
October 8th, 2014

Martial arts expert Thompson, married to Adriana Ford-Thompson, a University of York research and teaching fellow, was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and taken into custody. (so yes, arrested in 2009)

The victim, who cannot be named, told her story to police in the early hours and gave video evidence the next day. All her clothes were taken away for testing.

But less than a fortnight later a policewoman knocked on her door to say the case had been dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.

She said: “It did not take them very long to decide they didn’t believe me.

“It was a strange feeling. It was if I was the one who had done something wrong. I was so disappointed.

“I was also concerned because he lived not far from me. It was scary that someone capable of doing these things had been so easily let free.

-.-.-.-
Question is: When in 2009 did it happen?
-.-.-.-
Found something:
Life behind bars for violent York rapist and kidnapper

The attempted assaults took place on Coney Street, York, in February 2009 when he attacked a 24-year-old woman and July 2013, when he assaulted a 32-year-old woman at a house in York.

-.-.-.-
Question remains:
WHEN in February 2009 was he jailed for 2 weeks?

The trouble is, as vile as a human as Thompson is, as far as we know he never killed any of those poor women he attacked, and he was still attacking although not killing women long after claudia dissapered

He wasn’t in prison...

I'm not certain he didn't do it, but I see no evidence that points to him being a murderer, sadistic rapist yes, murderer, I have some doubt about

 

[keep-it-real]

one could also reasonable assume they given the next offence was a kidnap With the victim taken and assaulted in his van that van will have been forensically tested to within an inch of its life, so if there was any hint of a link to Claudia (eg dna found / any hair found / fibres found etc) it could have been established then... that’s to say they even looked in the van for evidence of other victims because from the images I’ve seen of the claudia’s house crime scene etc (such as ungloved hands touching evidence / shoe prints left on her scales / evidence laid out on a toilet) the SOCOs need some retraining (as someone with an MSc in Forensic investigation).... not to mention the cig that came to light ages afterwards and the prints found at a later date. The initial investigation was obviously lacking to say the least...

Yes you are correct the investigation was found have failings as later reported.
In respect of Mark Thompsons vehicle/van the rape and abduction was in 2013 its unknown if he owned the same vehicle in 2009.
It might be a long shot in 4 years having passed since CL went missing but if it was the same van and it was thoroughly forensically examined there may be a possiblity that some Forensic/DNA evidence gathered could unknowingly also belong to Claudia. In my opinion it would be worth looking at.
Not to distract too much but MT's wife might also have owned a vehicle, what type of vehicle did she own in 2009
(could she have owned a light coloured car like the one seen braking on heworth road on the morn of 19th march)

 

[Yozzer]

He did forget to turn phones off whilst attacking. And who’s to say if someone fought back that killing them (especially when only a week or so earlier he had been nicked for the rape and let go by the police) wouldn’t be the next and quite logical step. I raised this chap a while back on here as his MO is very significant and he was operating at the time of her disappearance. It would also give reason for a cover up and police knew there was a rapist on the prowl and has had him and let him go. But I still think it’s the nags crew for some reason, instinct (and behaviour of the ‘friends’ tells me there’s something else occurred there)...

I too have considered this person re the timing of the 2009 attack and a possible police cover up but if you read the case, NYP did follow up this woman's complaint, and it was the CPS who wouldn't prosecute Thompson. I can only guess why that was. I also think that if he had killed CL following an attack, I doubt he would have managed to conceal her body so meticulously as this wasn't part of his 'gameplan' or goal so I think he would have panicked.

 

[Popejohn3]

@Popejohn3 should tell us what he witnessed via DM. Last year, I followed a thread for a northern murder when one of the posters told us (via DM) that she saw the alleged killer cleaning the inside and outside of his car around a day after the victim's last appearance on CCTV

And what happened in that case ?

 

[keep-it-real]

I too have considered this person re the timing of the 2009 attack and a possible police cover up but if you read the case, NYP did follow up this woman's complaint, and it was the CPS who wouldn't prosecute Thompson. I can only guess why that was. I also think that if he had killed CL following an attack, I doubt he would have managed to conceal her body so meticulously as this wasn't part of his 'gameplan' or goal so I think he would have panicked.

The CPS reviewed their previous decision in the case of the 2009 sexual assualt allegation and determined that their original decision should be overturned and that there was sufficent evidence to charge mark Thompson with the 2009 offence

He was handed a life sentence by a judge who branded him "one of the most dangerous offenders I have ever had to deal with”.
A CPS spokesperson said last night: “When Mark Thompson was charged in 2013 and 2014 with rape and other sexual offences, we re-considered our previous decision in relation to the 2009 sexual assault allegation.
“The re-consideration of the 2009 decision was undertaken by a specialist lawyer working in a dedicated Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, which had since been established in the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside Area.
“Looking again at the evidence, we determined that the original decision should be overturned and there was sufficient evidence to charge Mark Thompson with the 2009 offence.
“Rape and sexual assault remains a priority for the CPS and we have recently convened a national rape scrutiny panel to consider the national response to rape and ensure our efforts to improve this continue.”
First victim of serial rapist revealed he was released to strike again

 

[Yozzer]

The CPS reviewed their previous decision in the case of the 2009 sexual assualt allegation and determined that their original decision should be overturned and that there was sufficent evidence to charge mark Thompson with the 2009 offence

He was handed a life sentence by a judge who branded him "one of the most dangerous offenders I have ever had to deal with”.
A CPS spokesperson said last night: “When Mark Thompson was charged in 2013 and 2014 with rape and other sexual offences, we re-considered our previous decision in relation to the 2009 sexual assault allegation.
“The re-consideration of the 2009 decision was undertaken by a specialist lawyer working in a dedicated Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, which had since been established in the CPS Yorkshire and Humberside Area.
“Looking again at the evidence, we determined that the original decision should be overturned and there was sufficient evidence to charge Mark Thompson with the 2009 offence.
“Rape and sexual assault remains a priority for the CPS and we have recently convened a national rape scrutiny panel to consider the national response to rape and ensure our efforts to improve this continue.”
First victim of serial rapist revealed he was released to strike again

Yes I have already read this article which is why I believe NYP are not at blame here - rather it was the CPS, by their own admission (your BBM) who made the wrong decision in 2009. Therefore I don't think this (Thompson not being convicted in 2009) would give cause for NYP to ignore evidence staring them in the face i.e. Thompson.

They have literally thousands of pieces of evidence, which we are not privy to, leading them to believe those 4 men were in some way involved. And once again it is the CPS who have blocked the prosecution. It would be pretty appalling if it turns out that the CPS got it wrong again. In fact, it would warrant a public enquiry.

 

[keep-it-real]

I too have considered this person re the timing of the 2009 attack and a possible police cover up but if you read the case, NYP did follow up this woman's complaint, and it was the CPS who wouldn't prosecute Thompson. I can only guess why that was. I also think that if he had killed CL following an attack, I doubt he would have managed to conceal her body so meticulously as this wasn't part of his 'gameplan' or goal so I think he would have panicked.

I dont think he was a panicker in my opinion he was focused and disciplined skills he learnt through his martial arts training.

In an article in the York Press its reports that That during an attack he ignored their objections and those of anyone nearby and tried to terrify them into silence. You would have thought he would have run away when challenged by the male and a bouncer that came to the womans rescue but no he stood his ground saying the woman was his girfriend!

When he attempted the rape of the woman in a house in 2013 he was thrown out of the house at 1.30 and he then prowled the streets to find another victim the 23yr old who he abducted and raped in a 5 hour ordeal.

York rapist jailed for life

Interesting I noted from this article that it says he has children... and that it says The crimes of the 37-year-old of Jamaican origin began when he was a hotel waiter and spotted a woman on her own in Coney Street late at night in 2009.

 

[Yozzer]

I dont think he was a panicker in my opinion he was focused and disciplined skills he learnt through his martial arts training.

In an article in the York Press its reports that That during an attack he ignored their objections and those of anyone nearby and tried to terrify them into silence. You would have thought he would have run away when challenged by the male and a bouncer that came to the womans rescue but no he stood his ground saying the woman was his girfriend!

When he attempted the rape of the woman in a house in 2013 he was thrown out of the house at 1.30 and he then prowled the streets to find another victim the 23yr old who he abducted and raped in a 5 hour ordeal.

York rapist jailed for life

Interesting I noted from this article that it says he has children... and that it says The crimes of the 37-year-old of Jamaican origin began when he was a hotel waiter and spotted a woman on her own in Coney Street late at night in 2009.

The Coney St. case was the York student on her way home from a night club in the early hours of Sun. 22 Feb. 09. In the link it says: He bluffed his way through the police questioning and was released without charge. This doesn't make clear that police took her statement and carried out testing on her clothing, wanting to charge him, but were thwarted 2 weeks later by CPS.

His ability to plan and commit assaults demonstrated guile and persistence but the focus of his goal was the assault, whether it was for sex (as he stated) or control. Having achieved this goal, I do not believe he would have given much thought to the aftermath of an assault leading to accidental death in terms of disposal of a body. He could think on his feet when hunting his prey but in my view, would have made his escape asap from an unexpected death. His MO differed from Halliwell who admitted to wanting to kill women and, in order to continue achieving this goal, went to some lengths to conceal his victims, this being the final stage of the 'operation'. All IMO.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

What date was the fuller face photo (Is this a sign of her being with child?)

Idk the date of the pic/pics. Pregnancy I wouldn't have guessed, when viewing these pics.

 

[Popejohn3]

Just a genuine general question :
Do Cl ‘s close friends get any money when they appear on TV or Newspaper articles ?

 

[Yozzer]

Just a genuine general question :
Do Cl ‘s close friends get any money when they appear on TV or Newspaper articles ?

Chequebook journalism - Wikipedia

 

[Popejohn3]

Chequebook journalism - Wikipedia

Thank you always there to help if you can!
I hope my subliminal messages to her family and friends are getting through !
It would be a welcome change from this virus thingy !

 

[Yozzer]

Thank you always there to help if you can!
I hope my subliminal messages to her family and friends are getting through !
It would be a welcome change from this virus thingy !

Fair question: Do you not think we have heard enough from her friends?

 

[MajorLang]

I have said many times on the forum that I keep an open mind I am searching for the truth.
I would remind you of the case of the murder of Jill Dando when the police pursued a case against Barry George even when evidence came in that would prove he was not involved they chose to ignore it. Barry George spent 8 years in prison for a crime he did not commit! the police do not always get it right.
I am investigating the disappearance/possible murder of Claudia Lawrence if that investigation takes me away from what police think happened then I make no apology for that.
If in the course of my research I find information that may be of importance to the case I will pass that to the relevant authorities they will be the ones that judge if that information is relevant to investigation.

That's ok but make sure you're not a multiple theory machine

 

[Pinkizzy]

And what happened in that case ?

The car cleaner was charged with murder - waiting for trial now

 

[MajorLang]

I believe they did but not as a lecturer (or were they? Possibly, I’ve read so much i can’t recall off my head, was it sports related or something?)
Pope johns remarks are not unlike JKs tantalising creepy remarks to be honest or that’s how it’s struck me. ‘I won’t forget that face til I die’ is basically Creepy if you are also suggesting you knew or have knowledge of this case. Why say something like that then not qualify it with why or what your suspicion is if that is the case And if it’s an innocent ‘She was a lovely lass’ type of explanation? Bizarre really. So over to you popejohn3 ...

I believe they did but not as a lecturer (or were they? Possibly, I’ve read so much i can’t recall off my head, was it sports related or something?)
Pope johns remarks are not unlike JKs tantalising creepy remarks to be honest or that’s how it’s struck me. ‘I won’t forget that face til I die’ is basically Creepy if you are also suggesting you knew or have knowledge of this case. Why say something like that then not qualify it with why or what your suspicion is if that is the case And if it’s an innocent ‘She was a lovely lass’ type of explanation? Bizarre really. So over to you popejohn3 ...

Alistair Cooper???

 

[LuluR38]

popejohn3 do you think she was pregnant to a married bloke and the secret was about to out? And she didn’t have a Facebook page or social media to mention diy people on did she?

CL had only been in her new house for app 2+ years .Diy people were mentioned on her Facebook page so these people would have left fingerprints.She made friends with around 15 people from Hale in Manchester .Some of these spent weekends in her house again leaving fingerprints.And I understand they were not all traced .

 

[MajorLang]

popejohn3 do you think she was pregnant to a married bloke and the secret was about to out? And she didn’t have a Facebook page or social media to mention diy people on did she?

Agree she didn't have a FB page or any social media so really don't know what @Popejohn3 is referring to.

 

[Popejohn3]

Fair question: Do you not think we have heard enough from her friends?

No I think they have more to say .You see I don’t think they should leave it for anniversaries only !

 

[Popejohn3]

popejohn3 do you think she was pregnant to a married bloke and the secret was about to out? And she didn’t have a Facebook page or social media to mention diy people on did she?

Sorry my bad I was referring to the Facebook page set up by her friends