A RAPIST who targeted a vulnerable man as he walked through a park has been branded a danger to the public.

Michael Tewelde forced the man to the ground before subjecting him to serious sexual assault and leaving his victim traumatised.

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had told Teesside Crown Court how he had offered to smoke a cannabis joint with his alleged attacker while he was walking near the Maze Park Nature Reserve, in Middlesbrough.

Jurors heard how the victim broke down when he returned home and police were able to recover a towel from the scene which the man had used to clean himself up after the attack, which happened at around 7.30pm on Thursday, April 29.

The married father-of-two said it was his victim who made the sexual advances towards him and denied attacking him.

But it took the jury less than an hour to convict the 36-year-old of the distressing rape.

The Northern Echo: Michael TeweldeMichael Tewelde

Judge Chris Smith said the impact of the rape had left the victim feeling devastated and resulted in him moving from the Teesside area.

The judge passed a ten year sentence, eight years in custody with an extended two-year licence period, after hearing that Tewelde posed a ‘high risk of re-offending’.

He said: “Your victim was making his way home when you were in the area. I’m satisfied you had gone out that evening looking for a sexual encounter.

“When your victim stopped you saw your opportunity. You effectively invited him to a more secluded area of the park, rejecting your sexual advance he turned to grab his things when you took your opportunity to rape him.

“He left the scene in considerable distress. He has been left very badly affected by this serious sexual assault.”

Paul Newcombe, in mitigation, said his client had finally admitted his responsibility for the rape and urged the judge not to make a dangerousness order.

He added: “This insight and change of attitude is an important development.

“Some could view this development as opportunistic and even perhaps cynical but he assures the court this change of heart is genuine.”

Tewelde, of Leeds Street, Stockton, was found guilty of rape following a trial.

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