A TEENAGE thug who committed a series of terrifying attacks on young women has been jailed for life.

Ronald Puxty struck one of his five victims on the head with a brick in Gillingham and threatened to kill her.

When the 18-year-old was asked by police why he had committed the offences, he replied: "I don't know. I think mainly because of the way I've been treated by women in the past."

Neville Willard, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court the first attack was on student Sasha Conroy-Hargraves at around midnight on 21 January as she reached her home in Hastings.

She heard footsteps and saw Puxty. When he called out to her she ignored him and ran to her front door. He stood in front of her and asked her the time. As she checked, he punched her in the face, knocking her to the ground.

A few days later, nurses Clare Payne and Jane Davidson were on their way home in the early hours from a night out in Hastings. Puxty put his hands round Miss Davidson's shoulders, pushed her to the ground and kicked her three or four times.

He then punched Miss Payne when she tried to stop him attacking her friend. She threw her purse at Puxty, hoping he would leave her alone. He picked it up and ran off.

Both girls suffered bruises, swelling and discomfort. It had been the first time Miss Payne had been out for some time as she suffered a "social phobia". She was now nervous when she sensed or heard people behind her.

Two days later, a 16-year-old girl was walking home late at night when she realised Puxty was following her. He grabbed her bag, rummaged through it and ran off.

The Gillingham attack happened on March 5 at 3am. Student Jacqueline Manners, 18, was walking along Balmoral Road when she heard someone running and stopping.

Puxty asked her for the time and if she had a lighter. As she looked in her handbag he struck her on the side of her face with part of a brick, which caused her to pass out.

Mr Willard said she remembered waking up in an alleyway to find her trousers had been pulled down. When she asked him why he had attacked her and told him she needed an ambulance, he threatened to kill her.

Graham Lodge, defending, said Puxty's life had gone "down the pan" from the age of five. He now felt he was losing control and needed help. "He is a young man who has completely lost his way," said Mr Lodge.

After the Gillingham attack, he went to a member of the youth offender team at Chatham and confessed.

Puxty, 18, of no fixed address, admitted assaulting Miss Manners, causing her actual bodily harm, having an offensive weapon and making threats to kill her.

He also admitted common assault on Miss Conroy-Hargraves, assaulting Miss Payne, robbing Miss Davidson and stealing the teenager's handbag.

Imposing the life sentence for the robbery, Judge Keith Simpson told Puxty: "I have taken the view that you are a very dangerous young man and that you present a very serious danger to the public, in particular to young women.”