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Leeds terror rapist locked up
A Portuguese teenager violently raped a young woman in Leeds city centre after fleeing sex attack charges in his own country.
His victim sobbed in Leeds Crown Court as Gerson Garcia, 17, was jailed indefinitely for the public's protection.
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Garcia, of Devonshire Gardens, Little London, had only been in the country two weeks when he repeatedly raped the 17-year-old in the early hours of August 2.
The court heard that police in Portugal had arrested and released Garcia on charges of rape on three young girls there.
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His victim was walking home from a night out on Lovell Park Road, Little London, at 3am when Garcia grabbed her, put his hand over her mouth and pulled her over a wall on to some grass. The terrified victim screamed, fearing for her life.
Prosecutor Richard Gioserano said Garcia throttled the girl, then let go of her throat to headbutt her and grab her hair.
Mr Gioserano said the girl was afraid to scream and lay still. Garcia carried out a sickening series of rapes and the girl said she felt as though it "lasted forever".
The court heard he bit her face and her lip during the attack, and went through her bag and took 10, her ipod and mobile phone.
After the attack, a group of friends drove past by chance and took her to their home and called police.
In a statement, the victim said her ordeal had had a profound effect on her and that she struggles to remember what life was like before.
Garcia was arrested days later at his cousin's house where the victim's belongings were found.
He admitted two counts of rape and, before being sentenced yesterday, admitted one rape in Portugal.
The court heard that although he is under investigation in Portugal, he has no previous convictions.
Sentencing him Judge Paul Hoffman branded Garcia a danger to young women after hearing he had expressed little remorse or empathy.
The judge added: "There must be an indeterminate sentence to protect other young women from you for the indefinite future.
"You are a violent and dangerous man."
Garcia was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection with a minimum of four years and 145 days before he can be considered for parole.
The judge ordered that he will be deported as soon as he has served his sentence.
He will be on the sex offender's register in this country for life and barred from contacting the victim.
Detective Superintendent Sukhbir Singh of West Yorkshire Police said: "Garcia put the victim through a harrowing and horrible ordeal which has had a very significant impact on her."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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