A sex beast who pounced on a young woman in Canterbury committed a near-identical attack seven years before, a court has been told.

Christopher Adjei, 29, was jailed for four years after admitting the terrifying assault on his victim, who was in her 20s.

And at his sentencing the judge revealed that in 2008 he had been convicted of a sex attack and two common assaults on another woman.

On both occasions he pushed his victims to the ground and covered their mouths to stop them screaming.

Adjei, of Riverdale Road, Ramsgate had been charged with the attempted rape of his latest victim, but vanished as his hearing was due to start in August last year.

After being recaptured, he was returned to court and pleaded guilty to lesser charges of battery and assault with the intent to commit a sexual offence.

He also admitted failing to notify the police he had changed his address – which sex offenders have to do.

The court was told that in April last year his victim had been walking along Church Lane at 4am when she was aware of a man behind her.

At first she thought Adjei was trying to chat her up – but he then grabbed her in a bear hug and put his hand over her mouth to stop her screaming.

When the woman managed to speak she asked her attacker: “What do you want with me?”

At that point, Adjei stopped, let go of his victim and apologised and the victim managed to run to a friend’s home and raised the alarm.

This week Judge James O’Mahony told him that the most concerning impact of his crime was the psychological effects suffered by the victim.

He said: “Your offence was a complete nightmare.

“You jumped on her, causing her to go to the ground, with your hands over her mouth. The most disturbing feature is that you have done this before.

“You were sentenced at this court in May 2008 for a very similar offence. This occurs when you have been binge drinking and binge taking cocaine. Your conduct reeks of real danger.”

Judge O’Mahony also ruled that Adjei will be on an extended licence for two years when he is released.

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