Life for violent rapist

A rapist who committed a string of offences while on the run in Dorset and Hampshire has been handed nine life sentences at Bournemouth Crown Court.

32-year-old Dean James Frederick Goodwin, of Blackburn Road in Poole, sparked a huge police manhunt after brutally raping a woman in her Poole home on 23 November 2012.

He went on to carry out burglaries in Wimborne and Bournemouth before heading to Andover in Hampshire where he committed further offences including attempted murder, rape, false imprisonment and robbery.

He was arrested four days later in Bournemouth Road, Poole.

Goodwin pleaded guilty to the offence of attempted murder yesterday (29 April 2013). He was sentenced to nine life sentences and will serve a minimum of 15 years.

Dorset Police appealed for public help to trace Goodwin when he was on the run.

Detective Inspector Marcus Hester, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Dean Goodwin was responsible for a number of heinous crimes and his victims were understandably left terrified by his vile actions.

“Today’s sentence comes after a thorough investigation carried out jointly between Dorset Police and Hampshire Constabulary.

“I believe that Goodwin poses a significant risk to the public, and this result means he will spend a minimum term of 15 years in prison.

“He will then be assessed and depending on whether it is safe to do so he may be released, or may spend the rest of his life in prison.

“This was a labour intensive manhunt which involved many departments within the Force working with partner agencies to track down Goodwin and make sure that our communities were safe.

“I would like to thank members of the public for the brilliant response during the search for Goodwin and throughout the investigation and court cases.

“As a result of the community, local media, police and partners all working together, a dangerous man was apprehended and I am certain that Dorset will be safer with Goodwin behind bars.”