A woman beaten and brutally raped in a Carlisle guest house has praised Cumbria police.

She says that were it not for the patience, dedication and determination of the county’s officers, she would not have had the confidence to press charges – and her violent rapist would be free to attack again.

Instead, John Thomas Jones, 29, was left with “no choice” but to plead guilty to charges of rape and one of assault on the woman.

He denied a third rape offence and prosecutors are not proceeding with that charge.

Jones’s victim’s identity is protected by law but she said she felt compelled to tell her story in the hope that other sex assault victims in Cumbria might have the confidence to come forward.

“Cumbria police were exceptional,” she said. “The officers involved went above and beyond.

“Their professionalism, hard work and dedication gave him no option but to plead guilty. Those officers were really kind and empathetic and the support they gave me was exceptional.”

The woman was raped, bitten and beaten during a terrifying ordeal while visiting the city in November.

Terrified, bruised and shaken, she reported the attack to a rape crisis centre, where staff took photographs and compiled all the evidence needed should she decide to press charges.

After deliberation, she went to police and reported the rape but, like so many victims, she began to question that decision.

“I was ready to drop the case because I just wanted to let the healing start,” the woman recalled. “I wasn’t sure what to do.

“I was ready to withdraw my statement, until Cumbria police spoke to me. They were completely professional and so dedicated.

“They gave me no illusions that it’s very hard [to press charges for rape] but the support they gave was absolutely amazing. They deserve such a lot of credit.

“It wasn’t about numbers to them - they genuinely cared. They genuinely didn’t want this violent man on the streets.

“They did everything to secure a conviction, so he had no choice but to plead guilty.”

The lasting effects of her ordeal remain with her, but she says that her overriding motivation throughout the past few months was the determination not to allow Jones to be free to attack again.

“This guy is a very dangerous individual,” she said. “I believe he’d do it to somebody else and I really didn’t want that.”

Following Jones’s guilty pleas this month, the woman has also had time to reflect upon the work of the rape crisis centre and the part Cumbria’s new sexual assault referral centre will play in ensuring sex offenders are prosecuted.

“[The centre] took all the evidence and it gave me time to reflect and speak to a support worker,” the woman explained. “They supported me through the process.

“It was absolutely invaluable. The centre gives you breathing space but the evidence is there [if you decide to report it] as otherwise it could have been lost. It was vital.

“You read things in terms of other victims and some of them haven’t had good treatment. That’s why I think Cumbria police was exceptional, and with the new rape crisis centre, I want women in Cumbria to know that they can feel reassured to step forward and report sex assaults.”

Detective Constable Catherine McDonnell, from Cumbria police, was one of those singled out for praise by the woman.

DC McDonnell said: “This was a horrific case where the victim was subjected to a terrifying ordeal and has been incredibly brave during the investigation process.

“There is no excuse for anybody to rape or sexually assault somebody and we will do everything in our power to bring any such offender to justice.

“Victims can be assured that any allegation they make will be treated with the upmost professionalism and sensitivity.

“A victim of such crimes will receive support.”

Jones, of Cornwall Road, Birmingham will be sentenced next month.