Rapist: Derrick Mutambuka assaulted two women in Sunderland

Women's rights activists have savaged a lawyer for playing down the crime of his client who inflicted a 'prolonged and sustained' rape on a woman in an alleyway.

Derrick Mutambuka assaulted a woman in the street after becoming 'sexually aroused' in a Sunderland nightclub.

He then grabbed another woman and raped her in an alleyway giving her 34 injuries as she screamed for help. He paused only to kick and spit blood at passers-by who tried to stop him.

Defending him at Newcastle Crown Court, Mr Ekwall Tiwana said of his crime: 'Although it is very serious, it is not in fact the most serious.'

His comments have outraged women's rights activists who say they play down the horrendous crime of rape.

Women's activist Aisha Ali-Khan told MailOnline: 'This is a sickening case - the defending counsel’s stance beggars belief.

'This was an appalling, premeditated attack that has left two women with life-long psychological scars. For the defence to downplay the impact and seriousness of the attacks shows a complete lack of empathy and compassion for what the victims had to endure.

'It also goes a long way in explaining why so many women would rather suffer in silence than report their sexual assaults to the authorities.'

She added: 'I am dismayed at the system that allows defence lawyers to make such irresponsible comments without any challenge'.

Mutambuka, originally from Rwanda, left the bar in Sunderland on 20 December 2015 and began talking to a woman on the street.

After she appeared disinterested in him, he pushed her against some shop shutters and proceeded to force his hand down her trousers.

The terrifying sexual assault came to an end when a passer-by intervened and walked the woman home.

But Mutambuka, who was 17 at the time, followed them back to her address and peered through her letterbox.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how just a short while later, the defendant then saw another woman in the street and dragged her into an alleyway before raping her.

A member of the public attempted to stop the rape after hearing the victim's terrified screams, but was forced to back off after Mutambuka kicked him.

The assault carried on for minutes - only to come to an end when a second man came to her rescue.

Prosecutor Andrew Espley said: 'This was a prolonged and sustained attack.

'There was a significant degree of planning. He wanted it to happen and took steps to make sure that it did.

'He was a man that would not be deterred. Others were present and witnessed the victim's ordeal. The victims were alone and vulnerable.'

Mutambuka, now 18, of Gateshead, was found guilty of rape and sexual assault following a trial - with what a judge described as 'overwhelming evidence.'

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the defendant then saw a woman in the street and dragged her into an alleyway before raping her

He was also found guilty of counts of assault, relating to the first man who he kicked and the second who he spat on, with spittle containing blood on 20 December 2015.

Mr Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said that his client was very drunk at the time of the offence and had only been drunk once before in his life.

He said: 'The general nature of this case is that it is a very serious offence. Although it is very serious, it is not in fact the most serious.

'This defendant was 17 at the time and had no previous convictions.

'This young man was passed from pillar to post and country to country essentially. He has been subject to a very unsatisfactory life until he moved to Newcastle and studied in Gateshead.

'He has admitted that what he did was disgraceful and disgusting. He has recognised what he did.'

The court heard how the defendant studied English, Maths and IT at Gateshead College. The rape victim suffered 34 injuries during the attack, including reddening, abrasion and tenderness on her head, face, neck, legs and chest as well as on her genitals.

She was also punched and 'manhandled' during the attack. Sentencing him to nine year and nine months imprisonment, Judge Robert Adams said: 'This was a persistent course of conduct.

'You were sexually aroused dancing in the club and that continued when you were going home until you committed the offence.

'You were determined to have sex with a woman regardless of her views or who she was or whatever her circumstance.

'You used violence, judging by the numerous injuries that the victim sustained.

'It is a start that you are experiencing some remorse although it is now too late in the day. Only a lengthy custodial sentence is appropriate.'