[A] man has been jailed for attempting to kidnap a Carlisle woman with the intention to sexually assault her.
Alan Hughes, of Tollcross Road, Glasgow, was sentenced today (28th April) at Carlisle Crown Court to eight years imprisonment with an additional extended licence period of five years.
The 59-year-old admitted to both offences at an earlier hearing.
The sentencing relates to an incident on Friday 3rd February 2017 when Hughes grabbed hold of a 27-year-old woman after following her in his car.
The victim was walking home from the city centre up London Road. Noticing a grey Peugeot 207 at the entrance of Hilltop Heights Hotel, the victim carried on walking until she turned onto a side street near Harraby Green Road. At this point the same car was approaching her, as she walked past it Hughes ran at her and grabbed her with both arms. A struggle ensued as Hughes attempted to restrain her but the victim managed to break free and run away. Hughes made off in his car of which the victim memorised his registration number.
Police made enquiries into this and found that the car was registered to Hughes and an arrest was made.
CCTV enquiries showed that Hughes had followed her from the Botchergate area of Carlisle. When interviewed Hughes first denied being in Carlisle and then described him grabbing the victim as an accident because he slipped.
Detective Sergeant Tracey Nimmo, North Cumbria CID, said: “I’m pleased at today’s sentencing and that Hughes will now spend a considerable amount of time in prison for his actions.
“This was a terrifying and pre-mediated stranger attack. Hughes pursued his unknowing victim down a long stretch of road before attempting to kidnap her.
“He admitted in court that he did so with intent to sexually assault her. This man is a clear danger to society and people are now safer for him being in prison.
“He has shown little remorse for his actions and this was evidenced by the initial lies he told in his first few interviews.
“I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and courage shown throughout this investigation. I also concur with the judge’s decision to commend her for her bravery.
“Her ability to fight off her attacker and memorise the registration number during such a horrific ordeal enabled us to make quick and informed enquiries in our bid to trace her attacker.”
