A 'dangerous predator' who hid in a bush before attacking a teenage girl is behind bars.
Stephen Sydney Chant, of Seymour Road, Trowbridge, was jailed for 17 years at Swindon Crown Court after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted rape on two teenage girls, both of whom were strangers.
The 26-year-old also pleaded guilty to a Section 18 grievous bodily harm charge and one count of sexual assault.
Chant admitted hiding in the bushes between Trowbridge train station and Langford Road before running out and attacking a teenage girl at around 6.30pm on July 25, 2022.
He hit her over the head before attempting to rape her.
The girl bravely fought back and was able to escape when a passer-by intervened.
Just three months earlier Chant had attempted to rape a second teenage girl, while he also pleaded guilty to a sexual assault on a young woman, that occurred in August 2021.
Detective Inspector Tom Straker said: “Chant is clearly a very dangerous man who preyed on young women in Trowbridge.
“His victims have been incredibly brave, and I cannot praise them enough for how they have worked with my team to help us to get him convicted and imprisoned.
“A sexual predator has now been removed from society, safeguarding those within our communities.”
DI Straker also praised investigating officers for their thorough enquiries, which saw Chant jailed without the need for a trial.
He added: “I would also like to say how proud I am of the officers from our Community Policing Team and my detectives from the Central CID who identified Chant as being responsible for these horrific crimes and who carried out such a thorough investigation that he had no option but to plead guilty.
“This in turn saved his victims - who had already gone through an unimaginable ordeal - from reliving the trauma at a trial.”
As well as his jail term, Chant will also be subject to a five-year supervision order.
Police have urged any victims of sexual offences to report the crime to them.
This can be done via the Wiltshire Police website, or by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Victims of sexual offences can also seek counselling and support from the Swindon and Wiltshire Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC).
SARC can be contacted on the helpline 01793 781916.
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