Saman Osmanzadeh was prowling the streets of Darlington in his car when he found the girl walking home in the early hours of the morning.

The 31-year-old took her to a house in Bishop Auckland where he raped her, before dropping her back off in Darlington in March this year.

The woman reported the rape later that day and officers located and arrested Osmanzadeh, of Durham Street, in Bishop Auckland, a few hours later.

He was charged with rape, which he denied, but was found guilty following a trial and sentenced to 13 years in custody with an extended four-year licence period.

Sergeant Stuart Chaney, from Durham Constabulary, led the investigation. He said: “Osmanzadeh is a dangerous individual who targeted a vulnerable young woman who was trying to make her way home following a night out.

“He is a predator who has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions and repeatedly interrupted the court proceedings during his trial at Teesside Crown Court.

“We have worked extremely hard to bring him to justice, and I hope Osmanzadeh’s lengthy jail sentence has brought some closure to the victim, who can now start to rebuild her life.

“No jail sentence can ever undo the suffering that she has endured, but I want to praise her for having the courage and strength to come forward and report this to us.”