A teenager has been jailed after he raped and tried to murder a girl in Hampstead cemetery in a sinister attack.

Miles Edward Hughes, of Dynham Road, NW6, was found guilty of attempted murder and rape following a trial at the Old Bailey on January 22.

Courts sentenced the 18-year-old on February 24 to 17 years imprisonment for attempted murder and eight years imprisonment for rape, which he will serve concurrently.

Hughes was also ordered to sign the Sexual Offenders Register for life.

'She had been stabbed in the neck'

An investigation was launched by Metropolitan Police officers following the attack which took place at around 1.130pm on July 9 2016.

Hampstead cemtery, where Hughes and his victim went to before he stabbed her

Emergency services were called to Hampstead Cemetery by a 15-year-old girl who said she had been stabbed in the neck and suffered minor wounds.

The court heard Hughes pulled out a Stanley knife and began cutting her on her arms.

"He demanded sex and she refused" before Hughes "then forced himself on her", the court was told.

He raped her and tried to stab her in the neck and throat area.

Admiration for victim's bravery who spoke out after 'truly horrific attack'

Hughes ran off out of the cemetery but he was arrested a short time later and was charged on July 11.

DC Gary Fernon of the Met's Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: "Today a dangerous young man has been sentenced to a justifiably lengthy term in prison for what can only be described as a harrowing crime.

"This has had an undoubtedly lasting impact on the victim as she continues to come to terms with what happened.

"This was a truly horrific attack and I must express my admiration for the victim to give evidence that has seen her attacker brought to justice.

"I can only hope that this sentence can assist in some way in helping her to move forward with her life."

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can even set it to receive push notifications for all the breaking news in your area.

Available to download from the App Store or Google Play for Android now!