A man who sexually assaulted a homeless woman has been locked up after he left his shoe at the scene.

Bebi Ibram was in Gravesend High Street on September 9 when he spotted his vulnerable victim sleeping in a shopfront doorway.

The 38-year-old laid down beside her before removing her clothing and sexually assaulting the woman.

She woke up screaming and causing another man to confront Ibram, who then fled the scene and left his shoes behind.

Attending officers seized the shoes and investigators examined CCTV in the area.

A local constable identified Ibram from the footage and forensic examination of the seized footwear later recovered his DNA.

Ibram, of Parrock Street, Gravesend, was arrested on nearly three weeks later on September 27 and charged with sexual assault.

He pleaded guilty at Woolwich Crown Court and, on Tuesday, December 9, he sentenced to one year and three months in prison.

This included the activation of two suspended sentences. He will also be required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Detective Constable Chloe Smith said: “Ibram chose to target a very vulnerable woman and no doubt hoped he would get away with his crime. Fortunately a man came to her assistance and her cowardly attacker fled the scene.

“A swift response from local patrols ensured vital evidence was recovered and, after a local officer recognised the criminal from a CCTV image, Ibram was tracked down and arrested.
“He has now been jailed and I would like to thank the victim who courageously assisted us to bring this appalling man to justice.”