Rapist caught on mobile phone

The attack was recorded on the answer machine

A man has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman near a children's home.

Tony Wallace, 23, admitted at the High Court in Inverness that he attacked and raped his victim on 10 February this year.

The court heard that during a struggle her mobile phone dropped to the ground, triggering a call to her best friend.

The nature of this offence was not just opportunistic but considered and carried out

Lord Wheatley

The friend's answer phone recorded the attack, outside Coulpark Children's Home in Alness, Easter Ross.

Passing sentence, Judge Lord Wheatley said Wallace had attacked a "young, innocent woman" and had shown little evidence of "regret or remorse".

The court heard how the victim had left her home to travel to her local shop to buy credit for her mobile phone.

As she attempted to call her friend, Wallace attacked her.

A passer-by saw the pair struggling but thought it was simply a young couple arguing and did not raise the alarm.

Tony Wallace threatened his victim

Advocate Depute Mark Stewart said: "He (Wallace) made a point of making reference to a local murder, hinting he had some responsibility for it."

Mr Stewart said the victim's phone was activated during the attack.

"It was not answered but it rang long enough to activate her voicemail recorder. What followed was recorded."

Wallace then threatened the woman and her family should she contact the police, Mr Stewart said.

The court was told Wallace had been drinking vodka and taking cannabis before raping the woman.

Opportunistic offence

Passing sentence Lord Wheatly told Wallace: "You have carried out an horrific act on a young woman who was totally innocent.

"The nature of this offence was not just opportunistic but considered and carried out.

"There is little evidence of regret or remorse."

His victim, who was in court with friends and family, sobbed as the judge passed sentence.