A PRESTWICH man has been jailed for seven years for the attempted rape and false imprisonment of a student.

Alex Reay (20), of Russell Street, subjected his victim to a 25-minute ordeal in a launderette in Hulme in March.

He beat the 22-year-old victim, threatened to kill her, and continually tried to rape the girl whose clothes had been ripped off. She managed to escape after contacting the police on Reay's mobile phone and a 999 operator kept him distracted.

Reay was still talking to the communications officer when he was arrested outside the launderette.

He pleaded guilty to the offences, including a charge of indecent assault, at an earlier hearing and on Friday he was sentenced to seven years in prison and four years on licence at Manchester Crown Court. Reay was also ordered to the sign the Sex Offenders Register.

The court heard how on March 6, Reay followed his victim into the launderette where he attacked her, grabbing her around the waist. She immediately tried to escape and shouted for help but Reay put his arm around her neck to silence her, telling her to shut up. For the next 25 minutes he attacked her punching her in the head, face and body and banging her head against a wall.

He stripped off all her clothes and continually tried to rape her whilst she fought back to protect herself. He also threatened to kill her if she didn't do what he wanted.

The victim managed to get hold off Reay's mobile phone and dial 999. She was connected to a police communications officer who spoke to her briefly before Reay grabbed the phone and disconnected it. The officer immediately rang the mobile phone back and Reay answered it. The officer asked to speak to the victim of the attack and tried to establish what was happening. Reay refused to put the victim on the phone telling the officer that was happening was none of her business and challenging her to send police officers.

As Reay was distracted talking to the officer, the victim managed to pull some clothes on and escape.

Talking about her ordeal after the case, the victim said: "I have thought about the incident a lot since March, not only what did happen but also what might have happened, that I might actually have been raped or even killed. Had I not managed to grab hold of the man's mobile phone and contact the police during the attack I don't know where it might have ended.

"I feel quite nervous when I enter anywhere and find myself looking all around me before I walk through any doors. I always anticipated that I would be able to defend myself against someone who attacked me or just run away. After what happened to me I am not so sure. I think that maybe I was a little naive and people who think this way really don't know how dangerous other people around them can be."

Detective Constable Chris Allsop, from Longsight CID, said: "The victim was left extremely traumatised and we are pleased that Reay has accepted responsibility for his actions and been removed from the streets for a substantial period of time. This attack has had a profound affect on the victim and there is no doubt that the 25 minutes she spent inside the launderette will stay with her for the rest of her life affecting her outlook on people and everything she does."