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Man who attacked woman at knifepoint in Little Bowden, Harborough, is jailed

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A violent predator who tried to kidnap and sexually assault a young woman at knifepoint has been jailed. Peter Smith (33) attacked the 23-year-old victim in Little Bowden, Harborough, on November 17 last year. He also tried to kidnap a 17-year-old victim in Northamptonshire on February 18. Smith was found guilty of two charges of attempted kidnap, one of sexual assault and one of possessing a knife following a five-day trial in October. He appeared at Northampton Crown Court today for sentencing, and was told he would serve eight years in jail followed by two years on licence. Smith, of Rushton Road, Rothwell, Northamptonshire, was also added to the sex offender register. The court heard how Smith, armed with a Stanley knife, had targeted the 23-year-old as she walked alone through an alleyway near Little Bowden Recreation Ground. After grabbing her and pulling her towards his car, he ordered the victim to lie on the ground as he climbed on top of her and tried to put his hand up her skirt. When the attempt failed, Smith threatened to stab her. Speaking during the trial, the victim said: "He pulled me up and said, 'I'm going to stab you now', and he started to move the knife towards me. "I grabbed his arm and realised at that point I was actually stronger than him. I think he realised it, too. "I pushed away from him and started shouting for help." Smith then ran off. Three months later, he attempted to abduct a 17-year-old in Desborough, Northamptonshire, but the teenager managed to escape. Smith was caught when the victim was able to remember his car registration number. He was arrested for the Little Bowden assault after a custody officer in Northamptonshire recognised him from an artist's impression that had earlier been issued by Leicestershire Police. Speaking after Smith's guilty verdict in October, investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Arthur said: "Sexual assaults by strangers are extremely rare occurrences but that makes it no less frightening for the victim. "She has been very brave in reporting this to police after going through a very distressing experience and we've supported her in every way we can. "This conviction is an excellent result and just goes to show how valuable releasing a particular piece of information can be. The media played an important part in this investigation by helping the appeal receive as much publicity as possible. If we had never issued this impression there is a chance we could never have arrested Smith and brought him to justice for this terrifying assault."

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