Rapist who pushed a woman's head into a pillow until she could not breathe is jailed for 15 years

Published 4 November 2026, 09:59

• Detective Constable Oliver Bennett of Nottinghamshire Police branded rapist Dylan Millns, 28, 'a truly despicable offender' who showed 'no remorse'.
• The terrified victim finally escaped the Nottingham house by climbing out of a window after the hours-long attack.
• From his cell at HMP Nottingham, Millns repeatedly phoned the woman to pressure her into not giving evidence.

A man who repeatedly raped a woman during a hours-long attack inside a Nottingham house — pushing her head into a pillow until she could not breathe — has been jailed for 15 years.

Dylan Millns, 28, of Wintersdale Drive, Leicester, received his sentence at Nottingham Crown Court on 3 November, having been convicted by a jury on multiple counts.

A three-week trial heard that Millns hit and raped the woman repeatedly over the course of several hours in 2024, and pushed her head into a pillow until she was unable to breathe.

The terrified victim eventually escaped the house by climbing out of a window, then contacted police and reported what had happened to her.

The jury convicted Millns on four rape counts, one count of intentional strangulation, and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

During the trial he also pleaded guilty to two counts of causing actual bodily harm against the same victim.

While on remand at HMP Nottingham awaiting trial, Millns made repeated phone calls to the survivor in an attempt to pressure her into not giving evidence against him — acts that amounted to trying to pervert the course of justice.

In separate proceedings, Millns pleaded guilty to two additional assaults against other women in 2023: a charge of assault by beating involving a second victim, and a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm against a third woman.

At sentencing, he received 15 years in prison plus an extended five-year period on licence.

He was placed on the sex offenders register, and all three victims were safeguarded by restraining orders issued against him.

Detective Constable Oliver Bennett of Nottinghamshire Police's Public Protection Unit said Millns was "a truly despicable offender who inflicted brutal violence on the victim, leaving her significant emotional trauma."

"Throughout this case, he has shown no remorse for the suffering he caused," he added.

DC Bennett paid tribute to the survivor, saying: "The fact that Millns will now spend a considerable period behind bars is a direct result of her remarkable strength and determination in coming forward and supporting this investigation."

He added that he hoped the outcome would give her "some measure of justice as she continues her recovery with the support of her loved ones, who have also been deeply affected by this case."

DC Bennett said that "violence against women and girls remains a key priority for Nottinghamshire Police" and that the force is "committed to protecting victims, bringing offenders before the courts, and doing everything we can to ensure those responsible for such abhorrent crimes are held accountable."