Rapist's victim is found dead at scene of the crime

Claire Catlin's body was found surrounded by empty bottles and packets of painkillers in the home where Ghanaian Seidu Abbubaker raped her last October. Ironically, Ms Catlin never knew that Abbubaker had pleaded guilty – meaning she would not have to face the ordeal of giving evidence against him in court. Abbubaker, 25, preyed on 32-year-old Mr Catlin after lending her money to buy vodka at an off licence. On Tuesday at Leeds Crown Court he was jailed for seven years. Nicholas Lumley, prosecuting, said Claire was vulnerable at the time of the attack because her mother had died of a brain tumour in 2005 and the death had had a profound effect on her. She became depressed and relied on medication and alcohol. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and became an alcoholic. Mr Lumley said that on the day of her ordeal, Abbubaker had been in the queue behind her in the shop at 9.30am and lent her money to buy a bottle of vodka. He followed her home and talked with her in her flat before saying that he would return later, even though Claire told him not to. Abbubaker did return later that day and walked straight into the flat, where Claire was laying drunk on a bed. The court heard how he then forced her to get into the bath while Claire repeatedly cried out 'no' as she tried to fend off the rapist. After the incident she told police she had nightmares and panic attacks and took showers all the time as she felt dirty. Abbubaker, of no fixed address, was arrested in Manchester a week later. He initially denied rape, claiming sex was consensual. On July 21 Abbubaker entered a guilty plea but two days later Claire was found dead as someone went to inform her of the news. Mr Lumley said: 'When an officer was directed to tell Claire Catlin that (Abbubaker] had pleaded guilty, it transpired she had very recently been found dead at her home by her care worker." There were nine empty vodka bottles on the floor and 10 empty blister packs of pills. An inquest into her death has been adjourned. Mr Lumley added: "Claire Catlin was a particularly vulnerable woman at the time (of] this offence. Her vulnerability would have been obvious to anybody." Abbubaker's lawyer said he should be given full credit for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity. He has been put on the sex offenders' register for life. Acting Det Insp Emma Wight, of West Yorkshire Police said: "Claire Catlin displayed great bravery despite the terrifying ordeal she suffered, and the co-operation she gave to officers throughout this investigation was crucial to securing a successful conviction against Abbubakar. "Our officers worked extremely hard throughout this enquiry to secure justice for Claire, and it is a great shame that she passed away before she could be told that justice had been done. Our thoughts are now with her family."