Martin Cain

Martin Cain, a 48-year-old man from Pemberton Road in Slough, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for attempting to kidnap and sexually assault a woman in Maidenhead. The incident occurred just after midnight on Saturday, June 1, 2013, as the victim walked home along Shoppenhangers Road following a night out. She had arrived at Maidenhead Station and noticed Cain following her, prompting her to walk faster, but he accelerated and ran towards her outside Fredrick's Hotel.

Prosecutor Jehad Mustafa detailed in court how Cain restrained the victim by placing his left hand over her mouth and his right hand around her body. Speaking in a 'soft, creepy voice', Cain instructed her to 'come here' before pulling her into an isolated alleyway nearby. The victim screamed and struggled, raising her arms to free herself. After a fierce struggle, she managed to break free, ran home, and immediately called the police. A police tracker dog located the intoxicated Cain approximately 200 yards away, leading to his arrest the following day. He was charged with kidnap with intent to commit a sexual assault.

CCTV footage confirmed that Cain had been on the same train as the victim, and forensic evidence showed contact between their clothes. Cain admitted the charge on Monday, February 24, 2014, on the first day of his trial, after which he was bailed. The court heard that this was not Cain's first offence; in 1986, he had been convicted of five indecent assaults on five women over a 17-day period in the Reading area. The latest victim suffered significant trauma, experiencing regular flashbacks and anxiety as a result of the attack.

In mitigation, Giuseppina Silvio argued that since 1986, Cain had been 'family focused' and maintained a 26-year relationship with his wife. However, sentencing Judge John Reddihough described Cain's actions as a woman's 'worst nightmare' and 'terrifying', noting that the victim feared she was going to be raped. He stated: 'Fortunately for you, and for her, she was sufficiently strong to struggle, escape your clutches and get away. Only a substantial, immediate custodial sentence is appropriate in your case.' The 40-month term was set to be reduced by 149 days to account for time spent on bail under electronic curfew. The case was heard at Reading Crown Court, sitting at Reading Magistrates' Court, on Friday, March 28, 2014.