A SEX attacker who carried out an 'horrific' assault after dragging a woman into an underpass has been jailed.

Ikram Surgan had followed the 23-year-old victim before grabbing her from behind around the neck.

He dragged her to a secluded area in Astley Gate, Blackburn, near the Mincing Lane multi-storey car park entrance.

There, Surgan subjected the woman to a 'violent and sustained' sex attack at 1am on April 4 this year, before fleeing when her screams alerted nearby police.

Officers managed to catch him after a chase.

The judge recommended the Indian national be deported when he has served his sentence.

He will only be released from prison when he is no longer judged to be dangerous.

Surgan will first be assessed for release in two years.

Judge Pamela Badley also told him he would be on the sex offenders register for life.

In her victim impact statement read to Preston Crown Court, the woman said what happened had changed her life and that the did not feel she could trust anyone anymore.

She had been on a night out, and had left the Live Lounge in Northgate alone to head for Liquid and Envy in St Peter Street.

The woman was texting a friend in the early part of the journey and didn't see or hear anyone behind her.

Nearby police heard the woman shouting 'stop it' and 'get off me'.

After the case, Detective Constable Ian Lawless said: “I am satisfied with the sentence and hope that it sends out a clear message to those who commit such heinous offences that they will be brought before the courts for punishment.

“This was a horrific attack on a defenceless woman who was left deeply traumatised by the ordeal. I praise her bravery and quick thinking and I hope today’s outcome will allow her to move on with her life."

Richard Hunt, defending, said Surgan had been in this country for about 18 months before the attack.

Mr Hunt said: "He bitterly regrets what has happened.

"He is saddened for himself, but he is very sad for what he has done towards the victim. He has a sister of his own.

"His family have now disowned him. He has lost everything."

Mr Hunt said Surgan was unable to explain why he carried out the offence.