A man who attempted to rape a woman on Valentine’s Day in an Ilford park in broad daylight has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.

Terry McBride, 25, of no fixed address, attacked his victim in Valentines Park, but she punched him in the face, bit his hand and he ran away.

He was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court yesterday, after a four day trial in July where he was found guilty.

The court heard how on Valentines Day earlier this year, the woman, aged in her 40s, was walking through the park at around 9am.

She first noticed McBride near the lake, and he approached her, forced her to the ground and climbed on top of her.

McBride shoved his hand over her mouth and roughly pushed her head to the footpath.

But the brave woman fought back, freeing her right hand, punching him in the face and bit the hand covering her mouth.

McBride tried to restrain her but she continued to bite him, and was able to let out a scream.

Startled he said “I’m not going to do anything, I will let you go”, and walked away towards Gants Hill.

The woman immediately called the police and courageously followed her attacker, who fled as soon as he saw her on the phone.

Redbridge CID quickly identified McBride by his DNA, and charged him four days later.

Det Insp John Delaney said: “I must praise the victim’s courage; she tenaciously fought off her attacker and then bravely followed him.

“McBride is a big man, of a heavy build and over 6ft tall, but the victim turned the tables and forced him to flee from her.

“This was a violent and cowardly attack at the hands of complete stranger and a long prison sentence is justified and appropriate.”