Sex attacker was traced on Facebook
A would-be rapist arrested after his victim traced him through Facebook has been jailed for seven years.
James Huggett, 22, will have to serve two-thirds of the term before being eligible for parole.
Once released, he will be subject to an extended licence period of three years, making the total sentence imposed at Maidstone Crown Court 10 years.
Judge Martin Joy said the attack on Chanel Purchase, 21, in April 2014 was “manipulative and predatory” and ruled Huggett was dangerous in the legal sense and posed a significant risk of serious harm to the public.
Huggett, of Woodland Drive, Minster, denied attempted rape but was convicted in November. Miss Purchase later waived her right to legal anonymity.
The jury heard the 21-year-old tried to fight off Huggett as he walked her home from outside a Sheerness nightclub. He fled when her screams were heard.
After calling police, Miss Purchase took to Facebook and trawled through pictures to find one featuring Huggett. It allowed police to arrest him six to seven hours after the incident. A 40-year-old man has died after being hit by a train at Hildenborough railway station.
Emergency services were called to the site in Rings Hill at about 1.30pm on Tuesday where the train was stopped 200 yards from the platform.
Andrew McCreath was travelling home to Paddock Wood on the 12.30pm service from Charing Cross, which struck the man.
He said: “The first we knew was when the train came to a stop just outside Hildenborough station.
“The driver’s trembling voice came on the speaker to tell us the train had struck a person. A guard then walked down the car- riages to tell everyone what had happened. People were very calm but I heard them offering their thoughts to the driver and the man’s family and friends.
“We were told we could sit there for a few hours. It wasn’t a very full train.
“There were lots of police and emergency services walking up and down the tracks.”
British Transport Police confirmed on Wednesday the man was aged 40 and from Tunbridge Wells.
A spokesman said the man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and his family have been informed.
A report is being prepared for the coroner.
All lines were closed between Sevenoaks and Tonbridge for several hours.