A WOMAN who was savagely raped and beaten by a former Bournemouth University student showed “great courage”, police have said.

Officers from Dorset Police's Serious Sex Offences Team with CID have spoken out after Emmanuel Mutandi was sentenced to eight years behind bars at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, April 24.

The 22-year-old raped his victim - who was working as a prostitute - in the churchyard of St Clement's before repeatedly punching her in the face in the early hours of August 2 last year.

Detective Inspector Joe Williams said her clear testimony helped to ensure a conviction against Zimbabwe-born Mutandi, now of Walnut Walk, Kempston in Bedfordshire.

“This lady showed great courage in coming forward,” he said.

“She is to be commended for her bravery in reporting the crime to us and helping to ensure this dangerous individual saw justice.”

The victim helped officers catch Mutandi after providing a detailed account of her ordeal.

She recalled that he had approached her in Southcote Road to solicit services before realising he didn't have enough cash to pay.

The two agreed on a fee of £40 for full intercourse, and Mutandi went to a nearby ATM to make a cash withdrawal.

This information meant that police were able to investigate all of the ATMs within walking distance, and quickly they tracked down Mutandi's name.

Detective Sergeant Steve May said: “We had that financial lead - we suspected he'd used his bank card, and we were able to investigate that.

“When we were able to track down that lead, we were then able to look into CCTV images, and this matched with the victim's description.”

Mutandi had attempted to evade police by taking a train to London shortly after committing the rape.

But within days he'd been arrested, and despite pleading not guilty to rape before a judge, was found unanimously guilty at the conclusion of three-day trial earlier this month.

DS May said Mutandi had “lied throughout his interview and trial”.

“The investigation was challenging and there is no secret that the victim was a prostitute working on the street at the time of the incident,” he added.

“Dorset Police have a dedicated, specialist unit of highly trained and experienced detectives who deal specifically with rape and serious sexual crime. This conviction evidences that my team will listen to any report of sexual crime from any person from any background.”

DI Williams said: “Any victim of a sexual offence will be supported and believed.

“We will always take our responsibility to those victims seriously.”