A man has been sentenced to five years in prison for attempting to kidnap two women in Walsall earlier this year.

On February 28th, a woman in her twenties was walking on Scarborough Road when she was grabbed from behind by a man who tried to force her into his car. She resisted and was punched in the face, sustaining swelling and bruising, before managing to escape and seek help.

Four days later, on March 2nd, a 17-year-old girl walking along Hawes Road was approached by a man in a vehicle who attempted to lure her inside. When she refused, he got out of the car, punched and kicked her, and sexually assaulted her. She managed to escape and sought help at a nearby residence.

Both victims sustained facial and head injuries. CCTV footage from both incidents showed a black Audi pulling up beside each woman. This vehicle was linked to Rambo Baeram, aged 25, who was subsequently arrested.

Despite claiming he didn't own the car at the time of the offences and that he was asleep at home, both victims identified Baeram as their attacker during an ID parade.

Baeram, of Forrester Street, Walsall, was charged with two counts of attempted kidnap, two counts of assault, and one count of sexual assault. He was found guilty by a jury and sentenced to five years in prison at Wolverhampton Crown Court on November 15th. He will also be placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Sergeant Carrie Stimpson from the Public Protection Unit said: "Baeram had no relationship to either of the victims - they were strangers, attacked on the streets when they should feel safe. These incidents were deeply concerning and we worked extremely hard to bring Baeram to justice. The women have been very brave throughout the whole process and were even forced to sit through a trial. I commend them for their courage."