A rapist has been jailed for life for launching an attack on a student he stalked through the streets

News24xx.com -  A rapist has been jailed for life for launching an attack on a student he stalked through the streets.  Samuel Fortes, 27, attacked the woman, 19, as she chatted on Facetime to her boyfriend.  Fortes, from Portugal, was seen following her through the streets of Leeds as she made her way home from a night out with friends.

She was dragged under the bridge and raped in a 15-minute. When she was found by strangers at around 3am on June 23 last year she had horrific facial injuries and was naked. 

Prosecutor David Gordon said, first Fortes had asked for her number earlier in the evening but when she turned him down, he stalked her for a considerable distance before launching the attack.  Fortes was disturbed when the passers by found her handbag, keys and phone on the footbridge. He then hid in a bush for two hours before fleeing the scene and going home to Sheffield.

The victim now has post-traumatic stress disorder after suffering a facial fracture and needing dental treatment. 

Fortes was told he must serve at least eight years in prison and may be deported when he is released. 

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