'Predator' sexually assaulted stranger on canal path

A "predatory" man who sexually assaulted a woman out on an evening walk has been jailed.

Leicestershire Police said Warren Laight attacked his victim, who is in her 20s, on the canal towpath near Leicester's Frog Island on 11 June 2025.

The 30-year-old ran away after the woman shouted and attracted attention but was later identified by police and charged.

On Friday, Laight, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 13 years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of attempted rape and one count of assault by penetration.

Police said Laight had started following his victim on the evening of the attack before he overtook her and stopped under a bridge.

He then grabbed her as she tried to walk past him and sexually assaulted her.

The woman struggled to break free from Laight but managed to shout and attract attention, prompting him to flee.

Officers were able to identify the attacker after the victim and witnesses from nearby properties provided a description of him. He was arrested two days later.

In his police interview, Laight claimed he was not in the area at the time and had been staying with a family member.

A relative also told police he had been at her home address and "only left for 15 to 20 minutes to buy cigarettes".

However, officers established Laight's phone was not at her address at the time of the attack and was at the scene.

The force said a 41-year-old woman was dealt with by way of a conditional caution for providing a false witness statement.

Det Con Josh Evans, from Leicestershire Police, 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."

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