Liam Cowley, 32, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison with an additional five-year extended license, totaling 23 years, for the brutal rape of a pregnant woman in her Liverpool home while her children slept upstairs. The court heard that Cowley, armed with two knives, threatened the victim, stating she "know[s] what's going to happen next" before raping her twice. During the assault, he was aggressive, headbutted and spat on her, destroyed her phone when she tried to call for help, dragged her back inside when she attempted to escape, and choked her until she blacked out. Despite her pleas, acknowledging her pregnancy, he continued his assault, even threatening her with a metal hoover tube and knives. After the attack, the victim managed to escape with her children and contact the police. Cowley, who had previously failed to appear for trial and fled to Norfolk under an alias, was later arrested. In Norfolk, he also assaulted and strangled a 19-year-old woman he was in a relationship with. He denied multiple charges, including rape and intentional strangulation, but was convicted on all counts. His claims of mental health conditions were unsubstantiated by investigations.