Missouri man gets 20 years for raping, branding woman

NIANGUA, Mo. – A southwest Missouri man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the beating, branding and rape of a woman.

The Springfield News-Leader reports 21-year-old David Lowery was sentenced this week. He pleaded guilty in August to forcible rape and first-degree assault causing serious physical injury.

Authorities in July charged Lowery, another man and two women in connection to the May attack. Two of the co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and the fourth has a plea hearing scheduled this month.

Authorities say the group beat the victim and held her down while Lowery raped her. They say she was then branded on the leg with a wire clothes hanger. Prosecutors say she is between 17 and 25 years old.

This story was originally published October 10, 2014 at 6:55 AM with the headline "Missouri man gets 20 years for raping, branding woman."