A night prowler who violently raped a vulnerable teenager in a dark alleyway was given a 16-year extended sentence.

Powerfully-built Paul Lupton was high on butane gas when he stalked his victim and attacked her among rubbish bins in a secluded yard, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Lupton, 29, of Apsley Crescent, Manningham, Bradford, was branded “a dangerous offender” by Judge Jonathan Durham Hall QC, who order-ed him to spend eight years behind bars.

He will then be released under close supervision on a “rigorous” extended eight-year licence period.

Lupton pleaded guilty to rape on the day of his trial – with his traumatised victim waiting at court to give evidence.

The 19-year-old woman, who had a history of self-harming, was detained in hospital for psychiatric treatment for weeks after her harrowing ordeal, the court heard.

In a statement read to the court yesterday, she said: “He has ruined my life and will probably be the death of me.”

Prosecutor Andrew Hatton said Lupton was roaming Huddersfield town centre when he struck at 3.30am on November 2, near Zetland Street.

The teenager was out with friends but went off alone in search of a toilet.

When she resorted to using a place among the bins, Lupton, who had followed her after cadging a cigarette earlier, pounced.

He pushed her to the ground, pinned her down and raped her.

The woman was physically sick after her ordeal. Her clothing was dishevelled and she was bruised to her arm and wrists.

Lupton was arrested the following day and DNA evidence was “a perfect match,” Mr Hatton said.

The teenager was now on five types of medication, including sleeping tablets and anti-depressants.

Neil Clark, Lupton’s barrister, said he was a butane gas addict who largely slept rough. He had scars from childhood beatings from his stepfather.

Mr Clark said Lupton had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

Judge Durham Hall said it was “a wicked and harrowing case”.

“She was a very vulnerable and lonely young woman and you are a powerfully-built and troubled young man,” he told Luton.

Lupton had also “heaped ordeal upon ordeal” on his victim by denying the offence until the day of his trial, he said.

And in an indirect reference to comments made by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke, who appeared to suggest that some rapes were more serious than others, the judge said “others” who commented on such cases must not forget it was the courts’ duty to protect vulnerable women who had been grievously offended against.

“The courts treat with the utmost seriousness this grave and destructive offence,” said Judge Durham Hall.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Lisa Griffin, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “This lengthy sentence reflects the appalling crime committed against this young innocent woman.

“Despite the terrible trauma, she was brave enough to attend Bradford Crown Court and was willing to recount what was a highly distressing ordeal. I can only admire her courage and her desire to help protect other women from falling victim to Lupton.”

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