Bedford rapist is jailed for seven and a half years

Philip Mundle was arrested near the scene of the crime shortly after it took place

A rapist who attacked an 18-year-old in the early hours of the morning has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Philip Mundle, 31, of no fixed address, followed the woman after she left a bar in Bedford and then attacked her in an alleyway on Silver Street in April.

He was given a three year extended sentence which means on release he can be recalled to prison at any time within the next 10 and a half years

Mundle also received a further month for assaulting an emergency worker.

The attacker was caught on CCTV riding a bike in the Silver Street area of Bedford when he spotted the teenager as she made her way home at about 04:00 GMT.

After the attack, on April 15, the victim approached a police night-time economy van and reported what happened.

Mundle must register as a sex offender for life and was given a restraining order banning him from contacting the victim for 10 years

Prosecutors told the judge at Luton Crown Court that Mundle was arrested on suspicion of rape shortly afterwards and spat in the face of the woman arresting officer at the police station.

In a victim impact statement the teenager said she suffers nightmares and imagines seeing Mundle when she takes a shower or in her bedroom.

Mundle's defence said he had no previous convictions for sexual offences and had been assessed as having an "unusually low IQ", suffered childhood trauma and has a hearing impediment.

Judge Blake said: "It was brazen offending in a town centre in the early hours of the morning.

"I have heard the long term effect it has had on the victim -something that took you a few seconds for your gratification has lasted for her for many months."