Joseph McCann trial latest: Rapist hid up tree as he fled across field to escape arrest, court hears

Accused: Joseph McCann, 34, is said to have snatched women and children from the street
Metropiltan Police
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A man accused of kidnapping and raping women and children in a “depraved” two-week crime spree climbed a tree in a bid to evade arrest, the Old Bailey heard.

Joseph McCann, 34, allegedly grabbed victims from the street at knifepoint and forced them into his car, subjecting them to lengthy ordeals as they feared being injured or killed.

He allegedly first struck in Watford, grabbing a woman as she left a nightclub, before holding another woman captive for 14 hours after kidnapping her in north-east London.

He is accused of kidnapping a third woman in north-west London in daylight, and allegedly targeted others including an 11-year-old boy between April 21 and May 6.

Prosecutor John Price QC said victims including a 71-year-old woman and a 13-year-old girl had been captured and sexually assaulted in McCann’s car before his eventual arrest.

McCann was said to have had two kidnapped girls in the back of a car he stole from the woman pensioner when he was spotted in Congleton, Cheshire, on May 5, and was chased by a police car.

McCann eventually crashed and fled on foot, leaving behind the two “frightened and distressed” girls, and then stole a mountain bike, Mr Price said.

He said McCann then took a taxi and jumped out and fled into a field when police stopped it in a village near Stoke. He added: “A cordon was placed around the field and the force helicopter was deployed. The police found him, and he climbed a tree. A stand-off commenced.”

The court heard McCann was eventually brought down at 2.36am and arrested.

McCann, from Harrow, denies 37 charges including rape, kidnap and false imprisonment.

The trial continues.

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