Rapist witnessed by boyfriend on FaceTime video call

A rapist has been jailed after being pictured in a screenshot by the victim's boyfriend, who witnessed the start of the horrifying attack in a FaceTime call.

The woman, who was 19 at the time, had been on a night out with friends in Leeds last June when she realised there was a man behind her.

Her helpless boyfriend could only watch her video call as rapist Samuel Fortes began his attack.

He took a screenshot of Fortes stamping on his girlfriend, which became a key piece of evidence as detectives built their case, West Yorkshire Police said.

The victim, who said she could not get out of bed for days after the attack, suffered serious facial injuries and extensive swelling to her face and body, officers said.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said she was "sickened by the thought that one human could do that to another" and that she feared she was going to die during the attack.

Fortes, 27, from Sheffield, carried the victim from a footbridge and assaulted and raped her under a flyover.

Three people walking on the footbridge found her phone, keys and handbag, after which they also discovered the victim and disturbed Fortes, who fled on foot.

A single strand of hair belonging to Fortes was found at the scene, identifying him as a suspect.

When he was arrested, the victim's blood was on his shoes, police said.

Detectives found CCTV of Fortes following the victim through the streets.

Fortes admitted rape and wounding with intent at Leeds Crown Court last November, and has now been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of eight years.

In her statement, the victim said: "I thought I was going to die. It is a feeling that no words could ever describe."

She said her family had been badly affected, adding: "My dad described the situation to my brother as 'it is like you have been growing and protecting a flower for 19 years and all of a sudden somebody just comes and stomps on it'."

But she said she does not want people to see her as "damaged" or "hurt".

"I feel little and dehumanised when I think back to the incident," she added.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jaz Khan, praised the victim for her "bravery in helping to bring her brutal attacker to justice".

He added: "Despite being in fear for her life she bravely fought her attacker and her boyfriend had the foresight to screenshot the incident - this was a key piece of evidence along with the DNA hit which helped to bring Fortes to justice."