Musawenkosi Ncube (born 12/08/1992), of Rawpool Gardens, Royal Oak, was convicted of rape following a trial at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.

He has been jailed on the 5 August 2011, for an indeterminate sentence for public protection and must serve a minimum of five and a half years in prison before he is even eligible for parole.

Ncube raped his victim, 39, in Wythenshawe Park on Sunday 19 December 2010.

At about 7.40am, the woman was walking along Altrincham Road in order to get a bus into the city centre where she works when Ncube grabbed her from behind, twisted her arm and putting his hands around her neck.

He threatened to kill her if she said anything and said he had a knife and would stab her if she resisted.

Ncube then forced her through the main entrance of the park and raped her.

A witness who was out walking his dogs saw Ncube with the woman and heard her screaming and then called police. Officers attended and followed footprints in the snow until they found Ncube holding onto the woman's left arm. She told the officers she had been raped and Ncube was arrested immediately.

During his interview, Ncube repeatedly claimed the sex was consensual and the woman was the instigator.

Detective Constable Andrew Bromley said: "Not only did Ncube subject this woman to a terrifying assault, he then told a pack of lies to police and put her through even more turmoil by repeating those lies to the jury.

"Thankfully, they saw through his deceit and he is now in jail.

"It goes without saying that this woman has been through an extremely upsetting few months and I can only hope seeing Ncube finally behind bars gives her some comfort as she rebuilds her life.

"I would like to praise the woman for having the courage to relive her ordeal in order to help us put this dangerous man in prison and would take this opportunity to say to anyone who might have been through something similar to never suffer in silence, come forward and tell us. We have specially trained officers who can help you and we will do everything we can to bring your attacker to justice."

Anyone who has been a victim of rape or sexual assault can contact Greater Manchester Police on 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency. GMP has specially trained officers in place to provide a first class response to victims and help support them through the criminal justice process.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester, can also be contacted on 0161 276 6515. This provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them either as a self-referral or via Greater Manchester Police.