A 29-year-old man who raped a woman in Blackburn has today (September 2) been jailed.

Ainars Reboks, of Preston New Road, was sentenced at Preston Crown Court to seven and a half years in prison.

Reboks was arrested by police following an incident in June 2015.

Reboks approached a 31-year-old woman in Thomas Street and raped her.

The victim immediately shouted for help and contacted police.

Following extensive CCTV and forensic enquiries, detectives from Lancashire Police’s Public Protection Unit identified Reboks.

They discovered he had returned to Latvia and obtained a European Arrest Warrant.

With the assistance of the Latvian authorities, Reboks was eventually traced to an address where he was arrested and brought back to the UK to face charges for the attack.

Det Con Melissa Chadwick, of Lancashire Police, welcomed the sentence.

She said: “I want to praise the incredibly bravery shown by the victim in this case.

“She has experienced a very frightening ordeal and shown immense courage, not only in her immediate actions but also in reliving her experience during the trial process.

“Like every woman, she was entitled to her consent.”

Reboks was also subjected to a Sexual Harm and Prevention Order and subject to the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.