A WOMAN who fought off a man who tried to rape her is still tormented by fears he kept the SIM card from her phone.

Teesside Crown Court heard that Christopher Johnson, 44, picked up his victim after she had gone on a night out in Redcar while on a work trip from outside the area.

She became separated from friends in the early hours of August 17 last year when she left Top Deck nightclub and was approached by Johnson who offered her a lift back to her accommodation.

But he took her to Middlesbrough before returning to Redcar in an attempt to confuse and disorientate her, and then parked in a secluded area.

Johnson then climbed on top of his victim and reclined her seat before sexually assaulting her and attempting to rape her.

Johnson, of Clairville Road, Middlesbrough, was found guilty of attempted rape and abduction, and was today (Monday, June 24) sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

Deborah Sherwin, prosecuting, said Johnson stole his victim's money and mobile phone, and when he realised he would not be able to rape her, started to drive away and pushed her out of his car as it was moving.

She was then able to flag down another driver who offered her help.

Police were able to retrace the victims steps, and using CCTV of the area located Johnson's car.

At his house police found her money in a laundry basket and her mobile phone in the bin in the kitchen - but the SIM card was missing.

Ms Sherwin said: "That was the thing that distressed her the most because it contained details of her mother who is in poor health."

Nigel Soppitt, defending, said this was an isolated incident for Johnson, who had a traumatic early start to life in his home country Liberia.

he added: "Growing up he witnessed many dreadful incidents. When he came to the UK he had a lot of hope and aspirations."

Mr Soppitt argued it was not abduction because he did not force his victim into the car.

Judge Les Spittle said the victim was in a strange place and accepted a lift home, but later regretted it.

Judge Spittle said: "There are serious concerns about your attitude towards women."

Johnson was placed on the Sexual Offenders Register for life and was given a prevention order banning him from having lone women in a vehicle unless they are aware of the convictions.