Teenager 'raped pregnant woman a day after release from young offenders' centre because it was full'

Anthony Thompson, of Benson Road, Walker, Newcastle,  was detained indefinitely on Monday after being found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of the rape of the 19-year-old expectant mother.

The court heard the 17-year-old, who suffers from minor learning difficulties, had just been released from a young offenders' institution because there were not enough places.

The back alley in Byker, North Tyneside, where Anthony Thompson, 17, raped a pregnant woman 24 hours after he was released from a young offenders' centre

Only 24 hours later he launched a drink-fuelled attack in which he rained  punches on the young woman and raped her.

Her ordeal took place just before 9.30pm last September 5, behind Morton Street  and Dunmorlie Street, in Byker, Newcastle.

Thompson grabbed the woman in a headlock and dragged her into the alley.  

He continued the attack despite her pleas to stop because she was four-months pregnant.  

A passers-by, heard the woman screaming and called the police. The sound of their  sirens made him end the attack and he was immediately arrested.

St. Nicholas Hospital in Newcastle, where 17-year-old Anthony Thompson is being detained indefinitely

Passing sentence, Judge Guy Whitburn noted Thompson's 'appalling' record and  described the horror his victim had been forced to endure.

He said: 'At the time of the attack, you were 17 years old and you are 18 this  month. You have a shocking record, with any number of very serious offences.

'You were released on September 4, and the following day you consumed a  considerable amount of drink and drugs and then you raped the woman.

'You took her down a dark alleyway and assaulted her to such an extent that she  was screaming, and you subsequently raped her.

'Fortunately, people heard those screams and alerted the police.

'I have seen the photographs of the girl. One can only imagine the horrors that  she went through at your hands.'

Thompson was given a hospital order and told he would be detained at St  Nicholas Hospital in Gosforth, Newcastle, until it was deemed he posed no  further threat to society.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.