A man who sexually assaulted a woman walking home in Horsham has now been convicted and given a 12-year prison sentence.
Anthony Uwakwe-Nwagwu, 22, a chef, of Bishopric in Horsham, was sentenced at Hove Crown Court on Thursday 16 September, having been convicted in June after a trial, of sexual assault by penetration.
At 2.30am on Saturday 12 September last year the 21-year-old woman was walking through an alley between Boxall Walk and Goring's Mead, off Brighton Road in Horsham, when she was attacked from behind and sexually assaulted.
She struggled with the man which, together with her shouts and screams which alerted local residents, deterred the man who ran off.
She sustained cuts and bruises, and was supported by specially trained officers.
Police attended swiftly and searched the area, and less than an hour later officers arrested Uwakwe-Nwagwu nearby on suspicion of the assault. DNA from him found on the victim's clothing and CCTV showing him following her very close to the scene, were vital factors in his subsequent conviction.
Detective Constable Della Squires of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit said: "This was an isolated incident but a very frightening experience for the victim. Uwakwe-Nwagwu spotted her in the street and followed her to the place where he viciously attacked her. Fortunately her brave struggles alerted neighbours and ensured that police were informed at once, enabling a search of the area which quickly traced him."
For information on reporting sexual offences and the support available, see the Sussex Police website.
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