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Group caught rapist after attack Group caught rapist after attack
(40 minutes later)
A group of people cornered a rapist after hearing him attacking a woman on a popular footpath in County Durham. A rapist who was caught by a group of people after he attacked a woman on a footpath has been jailed for life.
Martin Walsh, 19, from Blakes Close in Stanley, has been jailed for life after admitting two rapes and an indecent assault. Martin Walsh, 19, from Blakes Close in Stanley, County Durham, admitted two rapes and an indecent assault.
Durham Crown Court heard he grabbed his 21-year-old victim as she walked her dogs on the cycle track and walkway at Tanfield. Durham Crown Court heard he grabbed his 21-year-old victim as she walked her dogs on the cycle and walkway at Tanfield, County Durham.
The judge praised members of the public who responded to the woman's cries. The judge said he subjected her to a horrifying sexual attack, and praised those who responded to her cries.
The court heard he dragged the woman into bushes and subjected her to a horrifying sexual assault. Judge Tim Hewitt said: "Suffice to say you have ruined her life."
Walsh also admitted a charge of attempting to strangle his victim. The court heard that the attack happened in July, just hours after Walsh had been given a Community Order for assaulting his adoptive mother.
'Danger to public'
He was "drunk and angry" when he dragged the young woman into bushes and threatened to kill her before carrying out what was described as a series of sickening attacks.
The victim managed to struggle free and two schoolboys heard her screams.
They tracked Walsh and alerted nearby allotment holders, who detained him until police arrived and arrested him.
At an earlier hearing Walsh had admitted two charges of rape, one charge of assault by penetration and one charge of attempting to choke, suffocate or strangle with intent to rape.
Judge Tim Hewitt said he was a danger to the public and must serve a minimum tariff of five years and eight months.