'Nightmare' sex attacker gets life sentence

A sex offender described as "every woman's nightmare" after he tried to rape a teenage girl has been given a life sentence.

Christopher Bates, 37, attacked the girl after pretending to be lost in woods near Bishop Auckland, Durham Police said.

The girl's family said it had had a "profound effect" on her.

Bates, from near Spennymoor, admitted attempting to rape a girl aged between 13 and 15 years old and was jailed for life with a minimum term of six years and eight months.

Sitting at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Joanne Kidd said Bates was "the living embodiment of every woman and girl's nightmare" and the "very reason parents warn girls how to defend themselves".

Bates attacked the girl as she walked in Eldon Woods, near Bishop Auckland, on the afternoon of 10 April, Durham Police said.

The 37-year-old pretended to be lost and asked her for directions out of the woods before performing a sex act on himself, a force spokeswoman said.

The terrified girl sprinted away but was caught by Bates, who dragged her to the ground and tried to rape her, police said.

In an attempt to stop him, the girl told Bates she was 10 years old, to which he replied "I don't care" and continued his attack, the force said.

She managed to shout to a passer-by for help, which caused Bates to flee the scene.

Police were called and he was arrested in the woods a short time later.

In a victim impact statement, the girl's mother said the attack had a "profound effect" and her daughter got scared if a man got near her in public.

"The woods used to be her safe place," the mother said. "However, she is so afraid she cannot go there any more."

Det Con Dave Taylor said it was an "appalling and horrific crime" in which Bates "targeted a young, vulnerable girl" in a "very predatory way".

"He poses a significant risk to lone women and girls," the officer said, adding he praised the "remarkable courage" shown by the victim.

A sexual harm prevention order was also made to last indefinitely.

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