Locations
Union Close, Bideford, Devon, EX39
Description
A man who sexually abused a teenager after throttling her until she passed out has been jailed for 14 years.
Darren Cowland, 37, of Union Close, Bideford, Devon, ripped out clumps of his 18-year-old victim's hair during the attack, Exeter Crown Court heard.
Cowland was on bail for attacking a man with a bottle in a nightclub when he assaulted the woman.
He admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and sexual assault.
'Long recovery'
Judge Francis Gilbert said: "It was a very, very violent assault on a young woman who will probably be a long time recovering from what you did to her.
"I am satisfied that you are a dangerous offender who poses a significant risk of committing further offences."
David Evans, prosecuting, said the bottle attack took place at Caesar's Palace nightclub in Bideford in July 2011. The victim was left with a 4cm scar.
Gareth Evans, mitigating, said Cowland was a victim of abuse as a child and has been determined to turn his back on alcohol since he had been remanded in custody.