A MAN who raped a drunk teenager has been jailed indefinitely as police launched a nationwide campaign warning women of the dangers of alcohol-fuelled sex attacks.

The teenager, estimated to be up to five times over the drink-drive limit, was wandering lost and alone on a huge council house estate in south Manchester after leaving a party when Stuart O'Neill pounced.

O'Neill, 20, who had been out of jail just three weeks, grabbed his victim, dragged her into bushes, and raped her as she was pinned to the floor, Manchester Crown Court heard.

The victim, sat across the courtroom from the defendant in the dock, wept as details of the attack were given in court.

Locked up in December

Her ordeal only ended when a local man, Sean Phoenix, 21, was cycling past the undergrowth, heard sobbing and went to investigate, sparing the girl further 'terror and humiliation' the court heard.

Homeless O'Neill, who had been living a 'feral life' cycling around at night looking for things to steal, claimed she consented to sex within minutes of meeting him.

Denial

His denial forced his victim to re-live her ordeal by giving evidence from the witness box - but he was convicted unanimously by a jury of rape after a five-day trial in October.

He was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection and told he must serve at least four years before he can apply for parole. He will only be released if it is considered safe to do so.

You attacked her to satiate your sexual appetite without a thought for her

Judge Andrew Blake

“You only desisted when Sean Phoenix who chanced by on his bicycle went to investigate and help.

“You attacked her to satiate your sexual appetite without a thought for her. I regard you as a danger to the public and in particular a danger to women.”

Locked up in December

Thanking Mr Phoenix, who was not in court, the judge awarded him £250 from public funds and added: “Make sure he knows of the appreciation of the court and consequently the appreciation of everyone in this city because what he did that night undoubtedly saved her from further terror and humiliation.”

Earlier the court heard the victim had left the party around 1am with a male friend.

A stranger to the area,she rowed with him about the route they were taking and they became separated.

Her mobile phone was not working and she was left wandering the estate.

A witness saw her with three men, one O'Neill on a bike with his hood up, and two others who offered her a lift home - which she refused, leaving her alone with O'Neill.

Pushed

A short time later in an isolated area behind a hospital near to Barnacre Avenue he grabbed his victim, pushed her into bushes and carried out the attack.

But O'Neill was disturbed by Mr Phoenix, who was himself cycling home after a party.

He heard the girl sobbing from the bushes and spotted O'Neill who vanished in the darkness.

When he went to investigate he found the youngster dishevelled and distraught and called 999.

Locked up in December

The victim was examined and O'Neill's DNA was found. The court also heard a sample of blood was taken almost nine hours after the attack and the girl was still one and a half times the legal driving limit.

The defendant was given a further 12 months jail, to run concurrent to his indeterminate sentence, for a series of thefts and fraud from his mother's partner in the days before the rape.

He  admitted 11 other similar offences which were taken into consideration.

O'Neill, originally from Salford, was also ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life. He shouted abuse at the judge as he was led from the dock to the cells.

The victim has urged others who have been attacked to come forward.

Locked up in December