A MAN who attempted to rape a woman after dragging her off a Blackburn street has been warned he is facing a long time in prison.

A jury at Burnley Crown Court took less than two and a half hours to convict Samuel Anthony James Carrington of attempted rape and sexual assault.

The 22-year-old had already pleaded guilty to causing the victim grievous bodily harm during the incident in Blackburn on September 23.

Judge Beverley Lunt adjourned the case until June 8 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report and a dangerousness assessment. If Carrington, of no fixed address, is found to be dangerous he will be given an extended sentence.

Prosecutor Nigel Booth told the jury how Carrington followed his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, onto Pump Street, Blackburn, before pulling her to the ground when she got to a secluded spot in George Street West. She was then punched a number of times and kicked to the head with enough force to knock her unconscious.

When the victim was on the ground Carrington exposed himself, put his groin in her face and ordered her to perform a sex act on him. When she refused he punched her in the face.

During the attack the victim suffered a bleed on the brain, lost a number of teeth and also suffered a fractured jaw, with her upper and lower plates knocked out of line. She also had cuts and bruises to her arms and legs where she had been dragged.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Sgt Mel Kelly said: “This was one of the most vicious and brutal attacks I have ever witnessed. It is little short of a miracle that the victim was not more seriously injured or even killed and in fact the victim herself believed during the attack that she was going to die. The CCTV footage of this assault is truly horrifying. I would like to commend the victim for having the strength to support the prosecution to see justice served against Carrington who is clearly an extremely dangerous man.”