A “SADISTIC” bully carried out sustained beatings on a woman before going on to rape her after one of the attacks, a court heard.

Wayne Mansfield, described by police as “manipulative and controlling”, then tried to coerce her into withdrawing her allegations while he was in custody awaiting trial.

But having been convicted of all charges - in part because his vulnerable victim was prepared to stand up and give evidence in court - he was today (Thursday October 10) jailed for 15 years.

As the recorder who oversaw the trial, considered Mansfield to pose a high risk of causing serious harm to the public, he will be subject to licence conditions for a further five years beyond his 15 year custodial period.

Durham Crown Court heard that in one prolonged drunken and drug-fuelled attack, Mansfield fractured the woman’s eye socket with a number of punches to the head, as well as biting her legs and repeatedly pulling her hair.

In the second incident, on the eve of her birthday, he repeatedly slapped her about the face before landing two forceful blows to her head, causing bleeding to the brain, which the court heard was potentially life threatening.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said while she was still suffering “great pain” from the injuries, Mansfield raped her.

The court heard at one stage, prior to Mansfield standing trial, his victim retracted her statement against him.

But police checked with prison authorities and it emerged he had pressured her to withdraw her evidence in “manipulative” phone calls from prison.

Despite her “high anxiety", she did give evidence and 37-year-old Mansfield, of Keir Hardie Avenue, Stanley, County Durham, was convicted of rape, unlawful wounding, assault causing actual bodily harm and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Tony Davis, mitigating, said Mansfield still contended the sex was “consensual”.

Imposing the extended sentence, which means Mansfield will not be able to apply for parole until two-thirds of the sentence is served, Recorder Ben Nolan said evidence of his “sadistic tendencies” surfaced when he carried out a previous robbery.

Speaking afterwards, Detective Constable Lisa Rooney of Durham’s Police’s safeguarding team, praised the “exceptionally vulnerable victim”.

“Despite her fear, she maintained her dignity in the court room and gave her evidence with courage and conviction, although she was terrified of recounting her experience.”

On his eventual release from prison Mansfield must register as a sex offender for life.