A man who admitted raping a young woman as she walked to her boyfriend’s home has been jailed for 10 years.
Mebrehtom Abrha, 25, was caught after the attack in the Toxteth area of Liverpool was featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch.
Liverpool Crown Court heard Eritrean Mebrehtom Abrha, living at Dunsink Road, Birmingham attacked his victim last July.
The Eritrean asylum seeker’s victim said: “I have lost any desire to do anything in my life.”
Abrha must also serve a further five years on an extended licence.
‘Angry at God’
He was arrested in Birmingham after fleeing to the city from the Wavertree area of Liverpool, where he had lived since 2014.
In a statement that was read to the court, his victim said: “I question my life most days – my decisions and my actions – constantly doubting myself… I felt too dirty.”
The woman attended church regularly and said her faith was shaken by the attack.
“I was not able to go to church for months as I was angry at God,” her victim impact statement continued.
“I know it was wrong… I didn’t pray, go to church or even speak of God for months.
“What makes it worse is that it happened next to a church – this I can never forget.”
Det Insp Terry Davies, of Merseyside Police, said Abrha had to tried to evade arrest by fleeing Liverpool, but added “despite his best efforts we were still able to trace him and put him before the courts.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-35285030