A TEENAGE boy from Lowton has been sentenced to six years imprisonment for the rape of a 22-year-old woman at knifepoint.

The boy, who was 14 at the time of the offence, was found guilty of rape at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, September 9, 2005.

The woman had been drinking with friends on Friday evening, June 4, 2004 at The Hare and Hounds Public House on GolborneRoad, Lowton.

She left the pub after a few hours and began to make her way home. As she turned on to Thirlmere Road, shortly after 11.30pm, she glanced behind her and saw a figure standing at the top of the street.

The woman continued to walk along the road and a short time later felt someone put their arm around her shoulder. As she tried to push them away she turned and saw the youth brandishing a knife.

The boy, who is now 15, held the knife to the woman's face and told her not to scream. He then walked her across the road and into a field where she was forced, at knifepoint, to walk along a footpath and into a wooded area. Once in the wooded area, the boy raped the woman before running off.

Detective Constable Jason Eddison from Leigh CID said: "This was a terrifying attack for the victim. She was put in fear for her life whilst being marched at knifepoint into a secluded woodland area.

"Any sexual offence is despicable and an horrific ordeal for the victim. This incident is made even more harrowing by the age of the offender.

"I hope that the victim of this attack takes some comfort from the fact that the youth responsible for this crime has been brought to justice."