A sex offender stalked his victim through town centre streets before attacking her while on bail.

Woolwich Crown Court heard last week how Wisdom Ihediwa, of Raphael Road, followed his victim through Gravesend as she was walking home.

Ihediwa, 21, had followed the woman through several streets on the morning of Monday, June 10, and as she neared her home at around 10.20am he sexually assaulted her twice before grabbing hold of her and pushing her into a secluded area.

He then put his hand over her mouth and tried to drag her to the ground, but the victim called for help and two members of the public ran over, causing Ihediwa to flee the scene.

Two days later police received reports that a man, of similar description to Ihediwa, was loitering in the area where the assault had occurred and was in possession of a knife. Ihediwa was located and arrested.

Ihediwa was on bail at the time of the offences having allegedly assaulted two females in a recruitment business in Gravesend in February. On his arrest at the scene was found to be in possession of a large pair of scissors.

He admitted having the scissors and one count of assault at Medway Magistrates' Court in July. The other assault charge was dropped but a restraining order was made banning him from contacting both victims.

The scissors case was sent to Woolwich Crown Court for sentencing.

In relation to the June matters Ihediwa denied the charges of sexual assault and possession of a knife but was found guilty.

He was was sentenced for all three offences on Thursday, December 19.

He has now been jailed for four-and-a-half years in prison after assaulting a woman in Gravesend. Having been judged a dangerous offender he will spend a further five years on licence, and is subject to a 10-year restraining order against the victim.

He will also be put on the sex offenders’ register for 10 years.

Officer in charge of the case, DS Neil Martin of North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team said: "Ihediwa is a dangerous predator and posed a significant risk to the public especially females. He subjected the victim to a terrifying ordeal and only stopped when confronted by members of the public who showed tremendous courage to chase Ihediwa from the scene. We were able track his movements on CCTV and bring him to justice for his appalling offences. I am pleased that he has now been taken off the streets of Gravesend and no longer poses a risk to the public."

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