Sexually abused a teenager after throttling her until she passed out.

Man jailed for 14 years for sexually abusing teenager after throttling her

Darren Cowland, 37, of Union Close, Bideford, Devon, has been jailed for 14 years for sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman after throttling her until she passed out.

Exeter Crown Court heard that Cowland ripped out clumps of his victim's hair during the attack. He was on bail for attacking a man with a bottle in a nightclub when he assaulted the woman.

Cowland admitted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and sexual assault.

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.