A WOMAN who bravely fought off a convicted rapist as he held a knife to her face and tried to drag her onto wasteland has spoken of her terrifying ordeal.
The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was targeted by Philip Hann as she walked along a quiet footpath in the middle of the day.
The 55-year-old pervert grabbed her from behind when he implemented his plan to abduct the woman and carry out a serious sexual assault.
Her bravery resulted in Hann eventually giving up and letting her go as he attempted to flee the scene at Tees Barrage, near Stockton, in May last year.
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Hann was quickly arrested thanks to the victim’s quick thinking and essential help from passers-by as he ran away while ditching his top layer of clothing, his homemade balaclava, and the knife he used to threaten her.
Her powerful victim impact statement was read out in court as Hann was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum custodial element of seven years and two months.
“My victim personal statement gives me a voice by helping others understand how the crime has affected me,” she said.
“As a result of what happened to me, my physical injuries are a laceration to my left cheek as a result of a knife being pressed against my face.
“I didn’t need any stitches for this wound due to the size of it, it has healed on its own, however, I am left with a small scar on my face. It may not be noticeable to anyone else but it is a constant reminder to me every day about what has happened.”
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The woman suffered psychological impact suffering from ‘florid dreams’ where she is being chased and she is running away. She was prescribed sleeping tablets but didn’t want to take them in case she became addicted.
She added: “I used to be care free but I can’t bring myself to go out walking alone. I feel panicked and stressed at the thought.
“I am wary of strangers and feel anxious whenever a stranger is close to me.”
Teesside Crown Court had heard how the pervert used the same tactics as he had almost 30 years ago when he donned a balaclava, armed himself with a knife and sexually assaulted lone women.
He was sentenced to life in prison in 1994 but was released in 2018 after serving 24 years in custody.
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