A child rapist who was caught after a police officer noticed his distinctive walk has been jailed.

Shane Nash attacked the teenager as she walked home from a bus stop in Nottingham in January.

The 39-year-old grabbed the victim from behind in an alleyway and dragged her into nearby undergrowth, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Nash bound his victim and covered her mouth with tape before attacking her, threatening to stab her if she told anyone.

The girl went home “dishevelled and in considerable distress” and told her mother, who called the police, the CPS said.

Parts of the attack and footage of Nash were captured on CCTV and shared by Nottinghamshire Police as part of a public appeal for information.

Nash was arrested two days after the attack when he was spotted by an officer who noticed his “distinctive walking style and his high, square shoulders”.

“It soon became clear that he was also wearing the same clothes and distinctive grey trainers he was wearing at the time of the attack,” the police force said.

“Further damming evidence was found when officers searched his bag and uncovered a black beanie hat and red sleeping bag referred to by the victim.”

Nash, formerly of Bestwood in Nottingham, pleaded guilty to rape and attempted rape in March.

On Wednesday, he was sentenced to life in prison at Nottingham Crown Court by Judge Nirmal Shant KC, who told him he must serve a minimum of 15 years in jail.

Nash was also added to the sex offenders’ register for life and made the subject of a lifelong restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim by any means.

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Detective Inspector Craig Hall, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a horrific crime that shocked and appalled the local community.

“The victim in this case was simply walking home as she was grabbed and attacked. She is traumatised by what happened and this is likely to have a lasting impact upon her and her family.

“She has shown remarkable courage and dignity throughout the legal process and my thoughts are very much with her today.

“Nash’s behaviour, by contrast, has been appalling throughout. He has shown absolutely no remorse for what he did and continued to deny the offence even when presented with incontrovertible evidence of his guilt.”

Matt Evans, senior crown prosecutor for the CPS East Midlands, added the “violent and merciless” nature of the attack was reflected in the “significant” jail term.