Man suffocated woman who ignored his yells

A man who chased down a woman who was returning from a night out in Nottingham and tried to suffocate her has been sentenced.

Nottinghamshire Police said Matthew Ward followed the woman as she walked alone up Lenton Road towards Nottingham Castle at about 01:15 BST on 13 February.

The woman ignored the 20-year-old's shouts which prompted him to hit her over the head, pin her down and attempt to suffocate her for 10 seconds before she managed to fight him off, the force said.

Ward, of Wilfred Drive, Darnall, Sheffield, was sentenced to 22 months in a young offender institution at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday.

Police said the woman sustained multiple bruises during the attack and was helped by a passing motorist who stopped.

Officers were notified soon afterwards and arrested Ward in nearby Friar Lane.

He was charged with intentional suffocation and assault occasioning actual bodily harm which he pleaded guilty to in court.

Det Sgt Andrew Pym, from Nottinghamshire Police praised the victim's bravery.

"Her attacker's despicable actions were that of a coward, with Ward running after and hitting her from behind as she was walking home alone," he said.

"I can only imagine how scary this must've been for the victim."

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