A TELFORD TEENAGER was today found guilty of raping a woman after grabbing her from behind in broad daylight and dragging her through undergrowth.

A jury at Shrewsbury Crown Court took just over an hour to convict “Randlay Rapist” Jamie Findlater and end a near two-year police manhunt to bring her attacker to justice.

More than 25 officers were deployed after the assault in woods near the A442 in Randlay on August 11, 2009, and a £10,000 reward was put up for information leading to a conviction.

Findlater, 19, was found guilty of three charges of rape and a charge of robbery.

He was remanded in custody to await sentence, expected in six weeks time.

Outside court, Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Steve Tonks said: “Only Jamie Findlater himself knows the reason why this attack took place — an attack that has had a serious impact on the lives of many people and caused considerable concern to residents.

“I am very satisfied with the outcome at court and hope that this conviction acts as some consolation for the victim and her family as they move forward.

“I cannot praise the victim highly enough for her bravery and determination following the attack and I would personally like to thank her for the patience and dignity she has shown throughout the investigation and what has been a long and complex criminal justice process.”

The court heard Findlater, from Doddington in Hollinswood, grabbed the woman from behind and put his hands over her face before dragging her through undergrowth.

In a video of the police interview, shown to the jury, the victim said: “He kept covering my face saying he didn’t want me to see him, but I said ‘Too late, I have already seen you’.

“He then said ‘I have been told to do this by someone. I can’t tell you. They will kill me if I tell you’.”

After the ordeal Findlater took four £10 notes from the victim – who was in her mid-20s – before casually giving her one back and telling her not to tell anyone.

She called her ex-boyfriend for help before being found by a member of the public.

Findlater said he was on a Halesfield forklift truck driving course and while he regularly walked home close to where the attack happened, he had not that day.