Rape suspect caught after brave victim bites through his tongue

A rapist was arrested within minutes when his victim bit through his tongue, a court heard.

Metin Sanci, 34, fled in agony with blood dripping from the deep wound which left behind crucial DNA on her face, jurors were told. Police were on the scene in Islington within 60 seconds of the attack which was captured on CCTV.

They found Sanci with facial injuries just 100 yards away, Blackfriars crown court heard.

Paul Cavin, prosecuting, said the woman, in her twenties, had fought him for eight minutes after he grabbed her on her doorstep as she arrived home from her job in a bar in the early hours in July last year.

He tried to throttle her and gagged her mouth with his hand, said the barrister.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of the attack. Mr Cavin said: "The defendant grabbed her from behind and dragged her into the doorway of a shop.

"She was screaming and fighting back - she is no wallflower. He made the mistake of trying to kiss her on the mouth. Displaying great courage, she bit down severely on his tongue."

The CCTV also showed a string of cars pulling up alongside the pair and stopping at the traffic lights. Witnesses rang 999.

Police found Sanci covered in blood. Before he could be interviewed his tongue was stitched at University College Hospital. Later he refused to answer police questions.

Sanci subsequently admitted he was the man in the footage but claimed the contact with the woman was consensual.

Sanci, of Stoke Newington, denies rape, an alternative count of attempted rape, and sexual assault.

The trial continues.