Police have issued a message to victims after a 'slobbering pervert' dragged a woman in her 60s to an alley and tried to rape her.
John Simpson grabbed the woman from behind as she walked to work in the early hours of the morning on Everton Road and said "I'm going to f***ing rape you".
He dragged her to an alleyway and was "slobbering" on her when the terrified woman pulled her rape alarm.
After a passing taxi driver heard her cries Simpson's attack was foiled and he made off - but police traced him from the DNA he left on the woman's coat.
The 37-year-old continued to deny charges of robbery and false imprisonment with intent to commit a sexual offence but was convicted by a jury after a trial.
He even tried to blame the victim of theft, but jurors didn't believe his lies.
Yesterday a Liverpool judge handed Simpson, of Gregson Street, Everton, nine years behind bars with an extended five years on licence after finding him a 'dangerous' offender.
This means he will serve two thirds of the sentence in custody and will only be released at that stage if a parole board considers him to no longer be a risk.
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Paul Parry of Merseyside Police said he is "pleased" Simpson is behind bars.
He said: “Simpson subjected his victim to an horrendous ordeal. Thankfully she was able to activate a panic alarm and a passing taxi driver intervened at which point Simpson made off.
“Despite being forensically linked to the incident Simpson continued to maintain his innocence and forced the matter to a Crown Court trial, further prolonging the anguish of his victim.
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here
“I am pleased he will now spend a considerable period of time behind bars and I would like to take the opportunity to praise his victim for her bravery and composure throughout the whole investigation."
DCI Parry also asked victims of other sexual offences to come forward.
He said: “I would also like to encourage anyone who has been a victim of a similar crime to come forward and report it.
"We have specially trained officers who will speak to you and support you through any investigation or criminal proceedings and can help you get any further help you may need.”
In court Anya Horwood, prosecuting, explained that the woman was walking along the road at around 4.40am in November last year towards the city centre.
She said: "She first of all heard voices in the park and became aware of footsteps behind her as she walked."
Ms Horwood said: "She was dragged, with an arm around her neck, into the opening of that alleyway by a male who threatened her and told her to perform oral sex."
The woman began screaming and managed to put her fingers through railings, keeping hold of them throughout the attack as he tried to drag her into the alley, Ms Horwood explained.
Enter your postcode below to find vaccination locations where you are
When a passing taxi driver heard the incident after the woman pulled a rape alarm Simpson made off - but not before grabbing her bag, in which she had put his phone as evidence.
Philip Astbury, defending, told the court Simpson's mental health has deteriorated in recent years and led to an "excessive misuse in alcohol".
He described him as a "supportive family man who takes his responsibilities seriously" and said Simpson had worked since an early age.
Simpson has four previous convictions including assault occasioning actual bodily harm on July 22, 2004; affray on January 28, 2008; common assault in February 2018 and driving with excess alcohol in July 2017.
As well as his custodial sentence Simpson was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and a restraining order preventing him from contacting his victim was also put in place.
