Man, 26, jailed for attempted rape

Jamie Saunders, of Muirfield Road, Watford, pleaded guilty to an attempted rape which occurred on the outskirts of Tring on August 10 this year.

St Albans Crown Court heard how the victim had been jogging on a public footpath adjacent to a field on Little Tring Road shortly after 4pm when she heard a gate close behind her.

When she turned around, she noticed Saunders who then pushed her to the ground, face down, and tried to remove items of clothing.

He also put his hand over her mouth as she tried to call for help.

The victim, in her 40s, was able to bite him before calling out a friend’s name before Saunders ran off through the hedge. The victim then raised the alarm and called the police.

Detective Sergeant Samantha Hunt, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for her courage and tenacity throughout this ordeal and for her assistance which has resulted in the sentence passed today.

“This was a horrifying assault on a woman who was jogging in broad daylight during the summer.

“It raised fear in the local community where such offences are extremely rare.

“The sentence passed reflects the severity of the offence Jamie Saunders has committed and I hope that it will offer some closure to our victim and offer reassurance to the larger community that justice has been done.”