A man who pushed a schoolgirl to the ground and sexually assaulted her as she walked through a park has been jailed.

The victim was in Dane Park in Margate when she spotted someone following her and tried to hide behind a tree.

But as the terrified girl phoned her mum, Steven Palmer grabbed her from behind and pushed her to the ground.

The 45-year-old tried to remove her clothing, touched her inappropriately and sexually assaulted her during the terrifying incident, which happened on December 7.

Another girl in the park spotted the attack and also heard the victim scream.

The witness ran to a group of nearby dog walkers and told them about what was happening.

One of the dog walkers shone his torch over the area and discovered the offender and victim on the ground.

Palmer was pushed away from the victim and he was confronted by the group.

He tried to attack one of the men but was then stopped from leaving the scene while the police were called and he was arrested.

Palmer, of Sussex Avenue in Margate, was charged with one count of sexual touching of a girl which he admitted at Canterbury Crown Court. An additional offence of common assault against one of the witnesses will lie on file.

Palmer was sentenced today to six years in prison and must carry out a further three years on licence once released. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer Det Lucy Clarke said: “We believe that women and girls should be able to walk alone without risk of attack or abuse, and Kent Police does not tolerate violence against them.

“Steven Palmer’s attack was a frightening incident and we are thankful to those people that evening who noticed something wasn’t right, and intervened.

“Their community spirit and swiftness to act has meant Palmer is now in prison and unable to pose a threat to anyone else.”