A Folkestone man who sexually assaulted a woman he was robbing has been given a sentence of nearly eight years.

Alan Richardson, 55, had admitted fondling his victim after ordering her to hand over a handbag at knifepoint.

He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and sexual assault and was sent to prison for four years and eight months.

Judge James O’Mahony concluded that Richardson, of no fixed address, was dangerous in the legal sense...and added another three years to his licence.

Martin Yale, prosecuting, told Canterbury Crown Court how the woman was in a supermarket car park in Maison Dieu Road in Dover in October when she was approached by her attacker.

“He had a kitchen knife in his hand and held it against her chest, pointing the blade towards her. He then held it up to her neck and demanded her bag saying: ‘Give me your bag, I want money’.

“She said she would give him the money but he put his hand down her chest for a few seconds, although not touching her breasts.”

The knifeman then ordered her to get into her car while he walked away but he was arrested minutes later and the knife found nearby.

The court heard how Richardson had been regarded as a hard worker until he suffered a heart attack which changed his behaviour.

Judge O’Mahony told him: “You had been ill and everyone sympathises with your predicament.

“But you targeted your victim for robbery and you also had a sexual interest in her which shows you are dangerous.

"You targeted your victim for robbery and you also had a sexual interest in her which shows you are dangerous" - Judge James O'Mahony

“Your victim must have been absolutely terrified and then you sexually assaulted her – that’s a dangerous combination.

“It is hard to understand exactly what she must have gone through in view of the terror for both aspects. You also have four previous convictions in the 1970s of indecent assault – including one involving a burglary.”

He was also ordered to remain on the Sex Offender’s Register for 10 years.

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