Mark Robert Williams, 37, of Cecil Road has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years after two women and a teenage girl sustained serious injuries during two violent attacks in Bournemouth.

Williams appeared at Bournemouth Crown Court on Monday 29 March 2021 and admitted two counts of attempted murder, two counts of false imprisonment, committing grievous bodily harm with intent and sexual assault by penetration.

He was sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on Friday 21 May.

The two incidents occurred during the evening of Thursday 18 February 2021 in Maxwell Road and Vale Road.

At around 8.10pm Dorset Police received a report of a stabbing at the address in Maxwell Road.

Officers attended and found a woman aged in her 40s with a cut to her throat and abdomen, as well as a puncture wound to her thigh. She was flown to hospital by air ambulance in a life-threatening condition.

A teenage girl who was also at the address had sustained a cut on her cheek. She was taken to hospital for treatment to serious injuries.

While at the scene, one of the victims told officers that Williams had attended the address and attacked them, tied them up, gagged them and threatened to kill them. During the incident, the teenage girl was sexually assaulted by Williams.

Later that same day at 11.59pm, officers were called to reports of a woman screaming in Vale Road. The victim – a woman in her 30s – was found with a laceration to her throat. She was flown by air ambulance to hospital with very serious injuries and underwent surgery.

Extensive searches were carried out of the area and at around 1.30am on Friday 19 February officers noticed Williams acting strangely on Old Christchurch Road. He was covered in blood.

Officers approached Williams and he immediately told them he was the man that they were looking for. He was subsequently arrested in connection with both incidents and an investigation was launched by Dorset Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT).

During police interview, Williams confirmed that he had attacked three female victims at two locations and confirmed that he had committed serious offences.

Detective Inspector Wayne Seymour, of MCIT, said: “All three victims have shown incredible courage and bravery following these terrifying incidents that left them with very serious injuries. My thoughts continue to remain with them following the sentencing of Williams.

“The actions of Williams on the night of the attacks were completely unacceptable and I am pleased that following the work of officers at the scene and everyone involved in the investigation we were able to identify him as the offender and bring him before the court.

“We liaised closely with the Crown Prosecution Service throughout our enquiries and together we were able to successfully bring a dangerous man to justice.”

Dorset Police had prior contact with one of the victims and with Williams. The matter has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC is conducting an independent investigation and the police say they are co-operating with them fully throughout this process.