Amanuel Tsegay

On the night of 22 September 2019, Amanuel Tsegay, a 37-year-old man from Lords Avenue in Salford, caught a train from Manchester to Preston with the intent to target vulnerable women. Chilling CCTV footage released by Lancashire Police captures Tsegay prowling the streets of Preston city centre, methodically searching for lone females after a night out. His predatory behaviour culminated in two serious sexual attacks on unsuspecting victims.

The first assault occurred around 4:20am when Tsegay targeted an 18-year-old woman who had become separated from her friends following a night out. As she walked alone along Lancaster Road, Tsegay confronted her near the Harris Museum. He then led her to a secluded area of grassland between the Guild Hall and the bus station, where he raped her. In a victim impact statement read out in court, the teenager described the profound change the attack had on her life: 'Before that night I was happy, I liked to meet new people and make new friends. I didn’t have any worries and now that has all changed.' Since the incident, she has suffered from insomnia, recurring nightmares, and severe anxiety, forcing her to give up her job.

Later that same night, Tsegay assaulted another victim, a 19-year-old woman who had kindly offered him some food. He grabbed her and forced himself upon her in a sexual assault. This second victim now lives in fear, reluctant to leave her own home due to the trauma inflicted by Tsegay's actions. Additionally, the court heard that Tsegay made lewd comments about performing a sex act towards two other women, further evidencing his predatory intent.

Detective Inspector Fiona Jackson from Lancashire Police commented on the CCTV evidence: 'Amanuel Tsegay is a sexual predator and it is clear from CCTV footage that he was prowling around the centre of Preston looking for vulnerable women.' The footage played a crucial role in the police investigation that led to Tsegay's arrest and conviction. Tsegay was sentenced at Preston's Sessions House on 4 May 2022, following a trial that highlighted the dangers he posed to women. The judge classified him as a dangerous offender, resulting in an extended sentence and lifelong registration requirements.

This case, reported by the Lancashire Evening Post, underscores the importance of CCTV surveillance in identifying and apprehending sexual offenders. Lancashire Police's thorough investigation ensured that Tsegay was held accountable for his crimes, providing some measure of justice for the victims whose lives were irrevocably altered by his actions.