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Search for'Dangerous' teenager convicted of terrifying attack on city woman
Friday, July 25, 2008, 23:00
The youth, who cannot be named because of his age, had denied assault with intent to commit a sexual offence and claimed his victim had mistaken him for her attacker.
However, a forensic scientist told the court that eight fibres found on the victim's jacket matched fibres of the teenager's coat and a small amount of DNA was also recovered from the jacket.
The jury delivered its unanimous verdict after retiring for about 45 minutes at Exeter Crown Court yesterday.
Speaking after the verdict, Detective Inspector Nick Reed, the senior investigating officer, described the attack, which was carried out on a footpath beside the River Exe at about 6pm on February 29, as “horrible”.
He said: “It caused a lot of people a lot of concern and what might have happened if we hadn't caught the attacker doesn't bear thinking about.
“He is a potentially dangerous young man with a very troubled background. If it were not for science and DNA evidence, he may well still be among the law-abiding community.
“I must praise the victim for her courage and fortitude in re-living the events of that evening. I would also like to thank the members of the public who got involved that evening. Without their shouts and willingness to ensure that something wrong wasn't taking place, who knows what offence might have been tried instead.
“I'd also like to praise the general public of Exeter who didn't panic, took sensible precautions and responded to our newspaper, television and radio appeals. Without the public's help we, the police, are impotent.
“Thanks to the jurors who saw through the untruths. Thanks to the prosecution team and the detective who worked above and beyond to secure evidence to provide this conviction.”
The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had previously told the court the attacker approached her and asked if she “fancied a quickie”.
The local woman, in her early 30s, said he pushed her against mesh fencing and put his whole body weight against her. The man pulled out a 2in-3in blade from his pocket and pushed the point under her left breast.
The woman tried to scare him off by saying she had a dog, but he threatened to stab the animal as well.
During the scuffle, the woman attempted to crack the man over the head with her dog lead, but he grabbed it from her hand, looped it around her head and tried to pull her forward.
She told jurors: “I was scared. The reality of what was happening kicked in and I started to scream very loudly, at the top of my voice. He told me to stop screaming or he would stab me. I continued to scream.”
The woman said she was 90 per cent sure that the 16-year-old was the man who attacked her after seeing him in court.
Judge Graham Cottle released the youth on bail, under strict conditions including curfews and an electronic tag, ahead of sentencing and asked for a report from the youth offending team, as well as a psychological report, to be prepared. The youth will also be allowed to attend a late night family party on a specified day in August.
The sentencing date is September 10.
Police search the river walk behind Isca College of Media Arts after the attack on the woman walker MARCUS THOMPSON EE010308_MT03_08
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