A man has been found guilty of several violent offences following an attack on a canal towpath last year.
Following a six-day trial at Leicester Crown Court, Macauley Worden was today (Tuesday 21 April) convicted of attempted murder, rape, sexual assault by penetration and robbery for an incident that occurred in the early hours of 30 August 2025.
Picture credit: Pukaar News
The incident happened near Belton Road in Loughborough when the victim was approached by 28-year-old Worden, who pushed them to the floor and repeatedly threw punches.
Worden then raped and sexually assaulted the victim while attempting to strangle them. Following the incident, he made off from the scene with their phone and wallet.
A report was made to police and an investigation began, led by detectives from Signal – the force’s specialist rape and serious sexual assault team.
They were supported by other teams from across the force and Worden, of no fixed abode, was arrested on 3 September after being found sleeping rough in a tent around a mile from where the incident occurred.
Detective Inspector Majid Zaveri, the senior investigating officer, said: “This was a harrowing and complex investigation with officers from across Team Leicestershire working to identify and locate Worden.
“Thankfully, through the evidence we were able to present, he’s been found guilty of a horrific, violent attack and must now face the consequences of his actions.”
Worden is due to be sentenced at Leicester Crown Court on 12 June.
