A "disturbed" teenager who terrorised women walking home late at night in Ashford can seek his freedom after serving just three years behind bars after an Appeal Court ruling.

Ryan Neil Chinnery, 19, was locked up indefinitely "for public protection" after admitting assault by penetration and sexual assault.

The sentence means he will not be freed until the Parole Board is convinced he is no longer dangerous.

He was told he must serve a minimum of four years before he could apply for parole but that was cut to three years by top judges at London’s Appeal Court last week.

Chinnery, of Christopher Bushell Way, Kennington, Ashford, committed his two offences in July and August 2007, each time targeting lone women as they walked home late at night.

Lord Justice Aikens, sitting with Mr Justice Hickinbottom and Mr Justice Hedley in London’s Appeal Court, said the "disturbed young man" was normally quiet and clean-living, but had become increasingly influenced by depraved porn films.

He was also a fan of the cult video game, Grand Theft Auto.

Chinnery became aroused by the idea of degrading and intimidating vulnerable women, the court heard.

He tried to pull his first victim into some bushes but they both ended up rolling down a hill into a river. Passers-by rushed to rescue the woman and Chinnery fled.

His next victim was also grabbed while walking home. Chinnery tried to drag her down a slope and the woman broke her arm in the descent.

Despite her injury, Chinnery sexually assaulted her as she lay on the ground.

He apologised to her before running off.

Reducing Chinnery’s minimum ‘tariff’ to three years, Lord Justice Aikens said the offences were grave but not enough account had been taken of his previous good character.