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A homeless rapist who dragged a woman from the street and attacked her in Birmingham city centre has been jailed for 13 years.

Farirai Shereni was described by a judge as "every woman's worst nightmare".

He had already pestered other women for sex before he targeted his victim as she walked to work in the early hours of November 6, 2018.

The 26-year-old dragged her towards an underpass on Bull Street after spotting her in Dale End after she had been dropped off by her boyfriend.

She tried to walk away after the first attack but he raped her again.

Shereni had previously been found guilty of two charges of rape and another serious sexual offence by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court.

Passing sentence, Judge Richard Bond told him: "In my judgement your behaviour was every woman's worst nightmare, being pulled off the street and raped by a stranger.

"On November 6 you were homeless and wandering the streets of Birmingham city centre.

"You told the jury that on six occasions that day you had approached women and asked them if they would have sex with you.

"I have no doubt when you saw her, you targeted her. She was an extremely vulnerable victim.

"It was the early hours of the morning and the streets were almost deserted.

"Your victim was telling you to get off her and shouting at you to stop.

"You guided her to an underpass away from public eyes and then raped her.

"You grabbed her and turned her around and as you raped her your victim's head banged on the glass of a commercial property's frontage.

"The effect of this terrible incident upon your victim has been life-changing and has caused severe psychological harm.

"She has lost her job and also affected the relationship with her boyfriend.

"She has also had to undergo many medical tests since you raped her. The wait for the outcome has been agonising for her.

"It is also an aggravating feature that she has felt compelled to leave her home as a result of what you did to her."

The judge said Shereni had shown no remorse for what he had done.

In a statement, the victim said "Before the attack I would describe myself as happy, outgoing and confident. I enjoyed life and had a good social life.

"Now I am rarely happy and have no confidence. I feel nervous and anxious all the time.

"I cannot bear to be in Birmingham. I feel alone and isolated."

Bob Sastry, defending, said Shereni was not a danger and had no previous convictions for sexual offences.

"He was suffering mental health problems at the time and was homeless though no fault of his own."

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