A LORRY driver with Middlewich builders Pochin has been jailed for life after kidnapping an eight-year-old girl and almost killing her.

Mold Crown Court heard how Gulf War veteran Phillip Du Rose had previously tried to entice girls into his car and had been warned by police.

But when his plans failed he hatched an evil plan to use force on a young girl with a rope.

On September 4 last year Du Rose, aged 31, had gone cruising round in the Rudheath area to find a victim.

He approached the little girl as she returned home after playing happily with friends in Stanley Road.

He asked her if she wanted to see a mouse that he had in the boot of his car, which was parked on wasteland near James Street.

But as she moved away he grabbed her, put a rope around her neck and pulled it tight, the court heard.

The child, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was dragged to Du Rose's car and bundled into the boot before her abductor drove off.

But two miles later Du Rose, of Verdin Street, Rudheath, stopped in a country lane, released the girl and told her where the nearest house was, the court was told.

Mr Merfyn Hughes, prosecuting, said that shortly after 7.30pm on September 4, Mrs Diane Naylor, of Cookes Lane, Rudheath, was disturbed by a girl screaming hysterically and knocking on her door.

She found the traumatised youngster with blood on her hands, face and clothing. She said: "Help me, a man has had a rope round my neck."

The rope had caught the girl on her mouth, causing a jaw wound which was down to the bone and needed 15 stitches.

But Mr Hughes said a report by pathologist Naomi Carter revealed that one part of the rope had been round the girl's neck.

It was clear that considerable pressure had been applied for 15 seconds, and had it continued for much longer it would have caused her death.

Mr Hughes said: "This has traumatised the girl and her family. She has had nightmares about the incident and is frightened to go outside without one of her parents."

Mr Gordon Cole, defending, said Du Rose was full of remorse. He had no explanation, insisting there was no sexual motive. It had been a strong impulse.

While it was not an excuse, he added, Du Rose had served his country in the Gulf War and returned home a different man.

Sentencing Du Rose to life with a recommendation that he serve at least 10 years, Mr Justice Sachs told him that the evidence against him was overwhelming.

He said: "In my view you are a highly dangerous person. It was a horrendous experience for that girl and her family."

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