A predatory rapist who snatched a young woman off a Bradford street and subjected her to a “merciless” ordeal has been locked up indefinitely.

A judge branded Usman Akram a public danger and sentenced him to Imprisonment for Public Protection.

Akram, 21, of Woodale Avenue, Heaton, Bradford, will spend five years behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

The judge said he had left his victim alone and terrified and that Akram’s claim that the woman had offered him sex for money was a wicked lie.

Akram was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court in September of three counts of raping the 19-year-old woman.

She was barefoot and in her party dress when Akram struck in Sunbridge Road at 6.15am on Sunday, April 26, last year.

Akram was prowling the red light district looking for a prostitute.

He chased after the teenager, grabbed her and pulled her down stone steps leading to Paradise Street.

When she screamed for help, he covered her mouth with his hand.

Akram grabbed her ankles and dragged her back down the stone steps when she tried to escape.

She suffered multiple cuts, bruises and scrapes to her arms, legs and body.

Yesterday, the court heard that Akram was on bail for dangerous driving and possession of cannabis at the time of the offences. Prosecution barrister Gerald Hendron said the victim was now wary of men and her confidence had suffered.

She was praised by Judge Peter Benson for her great courage.

Akram’s barrister, Stephen Spence, said his client was drunk and did not use gratuitous violence.

But Judge Benson said Akram had overpowered his victim and showed no mercy.

“You left her to seek help, alone, distressed and terrified on the streets of Bradford,” he said.

The judge said Akram’s claim that the woman offered him sex for money was “a wicked lie designed by you to cover up your rape”.

Judge Benson said Akram posed a danger to vulnerable women.

If he was at large, there was a significant likelihood that he would commit further serious sexual offences.

After the case, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Hoyle, of the West Yorkshire Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, branded the rapes “a predatory attack”.

Praising the victim for her courage and dignity, he said: “The manner in which she has conducted herself throughout this investigation has been exemplary and has ensured that a dangerous man has been removed from the streets of Bradford.”