“It’s changed my identity and it has changed how I see myself” – Those are the words of a woman who was attacked by a registered sex offender in Leicester’s Frog Island.
The incident happened on the evening of 11 June last year while she was out for an evening walk along the canal towpath.
Picture credit: Leicestershire Police
She was seen by Warren Laight, who began to closely follow her as she walked towards North Gate. During the walk Laight overtook her before stopping under a bridge.
The victim, who thought he might have been following her, tried to walk past him but Laight grabbed and sexually assaulted her. Struggling to break free, she managed to shout and attract attention which spooked Laight and caused him to run off.
The victim, who is in her 20s, provided a description of Laight to officers which assisted in identifying him through CCTV enquiries. Witnesses from nearby properties were also spoken to and provided a description of him.
On 13 June, Laight was arrested. In interview, he said he could not have carried out the attack as he was not in the area at the time and was staying with a family member.
Laight’s relative was spoken to by police and said Laight had been at her home address that day and had only left for 15 to 20 minutes to buy cigarettes.
However, officers were able to identify that Laight’s phone was not at her address at the time the incident occurred and was in fact at the scene of the attack.
Despite his denial Laight was charged. On 16 December, at Leicester Crown Court, he pleaded guilty to one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.
He was sentenced at the same court on Friday (17 April) to a total of 13 years and six months in prison.
In her Victim Personal Statement, the victim said: “The impact has gone far beyond the immediate incident. It has changed my identity, and it has changed how I see myself.
“I feel disconnected from who I used to be, I no longer find joy in the things that once defined me and feel I will never be able to do those things again.
“He has taken my life away from me the way in which I knew it. He has handed me a life sentence and now I am left to serve it.”
Detective Constable Josh Evans, the officer in the case, said: “This is a deeply concerning case given the victim appeared to be chosen at random by Laight, who displayed predatory behaviour.
“She has told me how much the incident has impacted her day-to-day life and the way it’s changed her as a person. She’s afraid to go out alone and feels vulnerable when out in public.
“However, the fact that despite what’d just happened she was able to provide a description of him that allowed officers to identify him on CCTV and arrest him is a testament to her presence of mind.
“Despite initially denying he had any involvement – and a family member providing a false statement on his behalf – this evidence was key in leaving him with no alternative but to admit what he’d done.
“Hopefully today’s outcome provides the victim with a degree of closure and relief that Laight is back behind bars.”
