Man jailed for assaulting woman in Norwich

A man has been jailed for eight years for assaulting a woman on a footpath in Norwich.

Derry Bates, aged 44 and of no fixed abode, was sentenced at King's Lynn Crown Court today (Monday 2 December).  It follows a trial at Norwich Crown Court last month where a jury found him guilty of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence. 

The court heard how the victim had been walking along Marriott's Way in Norwich in May this year when she was approached by Bates, who hit her over the back of the head, repeatedly punched her in the face and dragged her by her foot towards a wooded area.

The woman told how when Bates took off her trousers she thought she was going to be raped - but two people who were nearby heard her screams and intervened. Bates ran off but was found by police shortly afterwards hiding in a bush. He was subsequently arrested and charged.

Today he was sentenced to eight years in prison as well as five years on extended licence.  

In a personal statement which was read in court, the victim detailed the impact the assault has had on her.

She said: “I am simply not the same person I used to be.  On the day I was attacked I was just walking along a path on a call to a friend when I was attacked by a man who I did not know. I thought I was going to die. 

"I want to address any woman who has been through a similar situation – don’t wait, go to the police and seek advice from the relevant departments who can help you."

Speaking after sentencing Detective Constable Martin Bentley said: "I’d like to praise the tremendous bravery and courage of the victim throughout this investigation and trial.  

"This was a very harrowing incident where a lone female victim was targeted in public by a particularly dangerous man she had never met.  

"I would like to reassure the public, that while cases like this are thankfully extremely rare, we remain resolutely committed to bringing offenders before the courts.

"I would also like to commend the actions of the passers-by, whose brave and decisive intervention clearly saved the victim from even more considerable harm.   I hope today's verdict will bring some sense of justice to the victim as she starts to rebuild her life.”

Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence can call police on 999 in an emergency or report a crime on 101. If you need further support or don't feel you can speak to police, there are a list of support services who can help here.