A "dangerous" man who "ruthlessly and horrifically" raped a woman after hitting her over the head with an axe and taping both her arms and legs together so she could not move, has been jailed.

Mark Yeates, 51, of Nuttall Street, Accrington, was jailed for 12 years at Preston Crown Court on Monday, with eight years on extended licence. 

Prosecuting, Julian Goode told the court that on February 28, Yeates, who, according to his distraught victim, was "off his head" and "stank of stale beer", had entered the woman’s home and cornered her in the living room.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Mr Goode said: “His victim noticed that he had his hands behind his back and as she turned her head to the side, she felt pain.

“She thought he had pulled her neck back, but he had hit her to the head with an axe, an axe that he was hiding behind his back.

“She dropped to the floor in pain, and in her police interview, she said she ‘had never felt pain like it in her life’.

“The defendant then dragged her into the hallway by her shoulders and threw her on the stairs before dragging her up the stairs by her clothes.

“He ordered her to get up the stairs, but she was feeling dizzy due to the blow to her head.

“Once upstairs he pulled her into the bedroom and threw her on the bed. She told police that she ‘felt like she’d been used like a rag doll’.”

Mr Goode told the court Yeates then taped her legs and hands together, which is when his victim started vomiting on the bed and noticed her head was bleeding.

He went on: “The presence of the axe and tape suggests that this was planned in advance.

“She later told police in her interview, that she knew what he was going to do, and she told him ‘no’, but he then told her if she didn’t shut up he would tape her mouth closed.

“It was at this moment that she thought she would be killed.”

The court then heard how Yeates went to lock the front door and placed her mobile phone at arms length so she could not escape or call for help, and then raped her repeatedly.

Mr Goode added: “She was terrified. She said the pain she experienced was 'insane' and 'intense' and was 'killing her'.”

Following the ordeal, Yeates eventually left the property and at some point, his victim managed to call the police.

In her interview she told officers she could tell he “wanted to hurt her”.

Defending Yeates, Steven Swift said his client had handed himself in to the police and told them, “I am 100 per cent in the wrong and I am ashamed of what I have done”.

Judge Ian Unsworth said he considered Yeates a "dangerous offender, who had subjected his victim to a ruthless and horrific sexual attack".

In passing sentence he said: "You threatened her and said you would strike her again if she screamed. 

"She was held as a prisoner by you in her own home. It was where she should have felt safe but that couldn't have been further from the truth.

"You treated her and her body with utter contempt.

"I have no doubt she was right when she said you were enjoying what you had done. 

"You warned her against calling the police and then you left and she raised the alarm.

"She was alone and vulnerable and totally overwhelmed by you.

"She is a brave and courageous woman and her victim personal statement talks of the harm you have physically and mentally caused her.

"You present a dangerous risk to the public because of the brutal, ruthless and sustained nature of these offences, particularly to females."

Yeates, who has nine convictions for 12 previous offences, pleaded guilty to three counts of rape, as well as assault, and was jailed for 12 years with eight years on extended licence once released. 

He was also made subject to notification requirements for life and was handed an indefinite restraining order against his victim.

In a victim personal statement, the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons said: “I have not returned to work as I cannot face people. I don’t want to speak to anyone, and I don’t want to speak about what has happened as I become upset and distressed.

“He made me feel unsafe in my own home. I have had so much support from my family, and I only hope that one day this nightmare is behind me, and I can move on with my life.”

DC Jo Billington, of the East Rape and Serious Sexual Offences (RASSO) Team, said: “Mark Yeates is a wicked and cruel individual who – as recognised by the Judge – poses a real risk of further offending towards woman.

"I am pleased with the sentence handed down to him, which reflects his dangerousness.

"Even once he is eventually released, Yeates will continue to be monitored by the authorities.

“I would like to praise the victim in this case for her bravery.

"I hope the courage she has shown - and the significant sentence imposed in this case - will encourage other victims of sexual offences to come forward.

"They can do so knowing they will be believed and listened to and that Lancashire

"Police will use all the resources at our resources to bring the perpetrator to justice.”

The police are committed to protecting women and girls from violence of all forms.

If you have been the victim of a crime call 101 or report it here: doitonline.lancashire.police.uk/

For crimes in progress always call 999.