A man who stalked and sexually assaulted a woman in Long Eaton has been jailed for eight years and nine months.

Paul Jinks followed the woman as she walked home from a night out in July 2024. When she reached Darwin Road, he grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth to prevent her from screaming. The woman struggled to break free but fell to the ground. Jinks then dragged her to a secluded grassy area where he hit her in the face and sexually assaulted her before attempting to rape her.

The woman's cries for help were heard by nearby residents, who confronted Jinks and chased him away. The homeowner called the police, who found bloodstains on a broken bin that Jinks had climbed over during his escape. CCTV footage showed Jinks following the victim for some time before the attack and also showed him following at least two other women prior to the incident.

Blood found at the scene was matched to Jinks, who was believed to be living in Cambridgeshire on a traveller's encampment. Cambridgeshire officers assisted in his arrest on July 24th, ten days after the attack. Jinks, of no fixed address, admitted to the offence and appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on February 7th.

In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, Jinks was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. The victim described the lasting impact of the incident in her statement, saying she fears going out alone and is constantly looking over her shoulder.