Man, 29, who tried to rape woman out running on the Downs Link near Horsham is jailed for 9 years

Christopher Cooper, 29, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the attack said police.

Around 7.20am on October 27, 2020, a woman had been running along Downs Link when she was passed by an unknown man on a bicycle, said police. The man stopped and propped his bike up against the wall before standing and looking at his phone. As the woman ran past him, he jumped and pushed her to the ground.

A police spokesman added: “The victim screamed as the man began to undress her. He then sexually assaulted her.

“The woman’s screams were heard by a member of the public who intervened, causing the suspect to grab his bike and cycle away.”

Police were called and attended the scene. There they found a surgical face mask that the suspect had been wearing, police said. The DNA on the mask was a match for Cooper, a tree surgeon, of no fixed address.

The spokesman said: “Enquiries began to locate Cooper, who eventually made contact with police after learning officers were looking for him. He was arrested on suspicion of attempted rape and assaulting a woman by penetration.

“A jacket was found among his belongings that matched the description given by witnesses. He was also later picked out of an identity parade.”

Cooper pleaded guilty to two offences relating to the attack and was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (March 17), police said. He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, three of which is to be served on extended licence.

Detective Sergeant Steve Webb said: “This was an extremely distressing ordeal for the victim, who has shown great bravery throughout.

“We are grateful to her and to all those who have assisted our investigation. Thanks to their support, and a swift response by our officers, we were able to secure vital DNA evidence at the scene and build a strong case against Christopher Cooper.

“His actions that day shows he had clear intent to cause a woman harm, and we are pleased to see him sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.”