A university student, kidnapped as she walked to her home in Helston late at night, has spoken of her relief after her attacker was jailed for life at Truro Crown Court.

Adrian Austin, 49, who had a long history of offences against women, had only been out of prison for two weeks when he attacked former Helston School student Annika Burleigh as she returned to her home in Tregarrick Close last August.

Following the trial, Annika, 20, who is studying biochemistry at Cardiff University, told the Packet she was pleased with the sentence handed down by the judge.

"I am pleased that no one else will have to go through what I went through," she said. "This has been going on for six months and I am relieved it is over. I want to go back to university now and try and forget about it. It will be difficult, but I think I will get over it."

Annika, who has lived in Helston from a young age, said she had always considered the town a safe place.

"I never thought anything like this would happen to me," she said. "I used to walk home from school that way. It was just the way home. I think now I will always be more wary. I hope other people will be careful too."

Since her ordeal, Annika has been comforted by support from family, friends, university staff and other agencies.

She said: "I am very grateful to the police for the hard work they put in to achieve the outcome of the case, and to Victim Support in Helston, who were incredibly supportive. It was nice having someone there to talk to, not just at the time but afterwards as well."

Annika, who is in her second year at university, had to postpone her term examinations to give evidence at last week's trial.

In court, she recounted how, fearing for her life, she lashed out at her attacker and managed to escape. Her "considerable presence of mind and great courage" were praised by the judge.

Since the incident, Annika, who returned to university at the weekend, has taken up kick boxing.