A man who's been dubbed a "sexual predator and a danger to women" after being found guilty of the rape of a teenage girl has been jailed for more than seven years.

Runakl Shawn Delecia, 45, of Lynton Road in Bristol, appeared at Southampton Crown Court today for sentencing.

The court was told how the victim, who is now 19 but was 17 at the time, was approached by Delecia in the Carlton Place area of the city centre at around 1.30am on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

It was heard how Delecia could be seen on CCTV leading the girl away from Carlton Place and towards Carlton Crescent.

After security staff working in the area were able to identify Delecia, he was arrested by police and charged with the offence.

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Delecia denied the offence, insisting the sexual encounter was consensual and instigated by the victim.

John Montague, a senior district Crown prosecutor with CPS Wessex, called the 45-year-old a "sexual predator and a danger to women".

“He deliberately sought out a vulnerable and intoxicated female in order to commit this rape, afterwards abandoning the victim bleeding and alone," Mr Montague said.

“I commend the victim for her bravery in this case. She has shown incredible resilience throughout."

“I hope this result goes some way in reassuring victims, survivors, and members of the public that the CPS is committed to achieving justice against those who commit sexual violence.”

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Following a six-day trial at Southampton Crown Court, a jury found Delecia guilty of rape on March 3 and he has now been sentenced to seven years and three months in prison.

Officer in charge of the case, Detective Constable Laura Cook, said: “First and foremost, I must express my thanks to the victim in this case for her support in bringing Delecia to justice for this awful and predatory crime.

“The courage it takes to come forward and speak to us about incidents of this nature should not be underestimated and the fact that Delecia is now behind bars is testament to her bravery in speaking out and assisting us with this investigation."