Yahoo News Man who sexually assaulted girl, 16, jailed after victim took pictures of him during attack
James White attacked the girl, who was walking along Bolton Road, in Darwen, Blackburn, at around midnight on 25 June this year.
A man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl after she took photos of his face during the attack.
James White, 39, ran up behind the 16-year-old, who was walking along Bolton Road, in Darwen, Blackburn, at around midnight on 25 June this year.
The victim heard the sound of somebody running behind her before White grabbed her and pulled her to the ground, telling her: “I don’t want to hurt you.”
During the attack, which took place around midnight, the brave teen took two screenshots of White’s face while trying to call her mum on Facetime.
She also struck White twice with her phone as he stroked her thigh, before he tried to knock the device out of her hand.
He then fled the scene, towards Darwen town centre, after being disturbed by the noise of the phone.
Police later identified his white Mercedes A180 being driven away from the scene on CCTV.
White was arrested the same day and was subsequently charged with sexual assault and assault causing actual bodily harm, before later pleading guilty.
White, of Darwen, Lancashire, has now been jailed for two and a half years at Preston Crown Court and placed on the sex offenders register for 15 years.
Following the sentencing Detective Sergeant Sarah Tucker, from Lancashire Police, praised his victim for her “bravery and quick thinking”.
She said: “This was a terrifying attack committed against a teenage girl walking home at night – something she was perfectly entitled to do without fear of White engaging in this appalling behaviour.
“I want to praise the bravery and quick thinking of the victim in this case, who managed to scare off and capture crucial evidence against White.“
Derek Artis, district crown prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service's North West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit, also praised the courage of White’s victim.
He said: “James White is clearly a danger to women. He targeted a teenage girl as she walked along the street and launched a terrifying sexual attack upon her.
“She showed great courage by using her phone to contact her mother whilst at the same time fighting him off, causing him to stop the attack and run away.
"Every woman and girl should be free and feel safe to go about their daily lives, including walking alone, without fear of harassment or sexual offences.
