Man sentenced after stalking and sexually assaulting woman in Newcastle city centre after a night out

A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to two-years in prison after stalking and sexually assaulting a woman after a night out.

Daniel Theobald, from Heaton, trailed his victim as she walked through Newcastle city centre with a friend.

The friends eventually split to go their separate ways and Theobald continued to stalk his victim before closing the gap and grabbing her.

She fell to the ground and Theobald sexually assaulted her before walking away.

The victim went home and immediately alerted Northumbria Police who obtained CCTV footage of the moments leading up to the attack.

Theobald was then arrested and gave no comment to all questions put to him.

He was then charged with sexual assault after CCTV and financial transactions linked him to the attack.

At Newcastle Crown Court, Theobald admitted the charge and was given a two-year jail sentence.

He has also been placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Elliott Price, of Northumbria Police, said: “Theobald put his victim through a horrifying ordeal in which she was attacked as she walked home from an evening out.

“No-one should be subjected to what she was put through on that night and we hope that the sentence handed down goes some way to providing a degree of closure for her.

“She has shown immense bravery throughout this process.

“No-one should ever have to endure this type of assault and support is available from our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with.

“If you have ever been a victim of any type of sexual assault, we’re here for you.”

DC Price added: “Theobald acted in a predatory manner to sexually assault a young woman under cover of darkness. That is wholly unacceptable and we are glad that he is now behind bars.”

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