Every woman's worst nightmare

A TEENAGE boy who attempted to rape a woman at an Oldham town centre bus stop has been given a nine-year extended sentence by a judge who told him: "You are every woman's worst nightmare."

The 16-year old cornered the terrified woman in the shelter close to Oldham College late at night, putting his victim through a nightmare experience before fleeing.

Only weeks earlier, the same teenager had tricked his way into the home of another woman in Oldham late at night, putting her through a shocking sexual ordeal. He fled only when her screams woke her young daughter who had been asleep upstairs. Sentencing the youth at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Mark Savill said he was forced to conclude that he should be classed as dangerous.

Offence

He said he was deeply troubled by the fact that the teenager had targeted a particular category of woman in both cases only weeks apart, using violence, and the uncertainty of his unpredictable behaviour.

He told him however: "You knew exactly what you were after in both cases."

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was given a six-year detention sentence for the attempted rape and a further sexual offence against the same victim. He was also given 12 months to run at the same time for attempting to cause the other victim to engage in sexual activity.

The judge ruled however, that he was imposing a three-year extension to the sentence.

He told him he would have to serve at least two thirds of the six-year detention term before being referred to a parole board which would determine whether he should serve longer. If freed he would still be on licence until the expiry of the three years extension.

The court had heard that the teenager had been high on either drink or cannabis in each of the cases in August and September, 2015.

The youth denied being involved in either of the offences, giving a false alibi, and only pleading guilty at the point of going on trial.

Geoff Whelan, prosecuting, told the court that in the bus stop incident, he had asked his 46-year-old victim for a light, then stood directly in front of her saying: "I bet you like sex."

He persisted in making explicit sexual remarks before slamming her against the side of he shelter and attempting to rape her twice.

She screamed and begged him not to hurt her, and in a rage, he kicked her in the back before running off.

He was said to have forcibly tried to kiss her, "slobbering" over her, and biting her top lip.

Simon Nichol defending, said despite his client's reluctance to fully admit what he had done at the outset, he now accepted what was alleged.

"He has expressed regret, and acknowledges that what he did was bad, and he is sorry," he said.

He said the youngster had been clearly immature, and in a sense vulnerable himself. He had had an isolated upbringing in some ways.