Douglas Knight

On 22 December 2021, at approximately 9.30am, 29-year-old Douglas Knight targeted a woman walking her dog alone in Charles Wood, along Undercliff Road in St Lawrence on the Isle of Wight. Knight, residing at Undercliff Drive in Niton, initially passed the woman before turning back to follow her. He approached her under the pretence of petting her dog and engaging in casual conversation, but as she continued walking, he persisted in trailing her.

The situation escalated when Knight grabbed the woman from behind and forced her to her knees in a remote area of the woodland. He attempted to cover her face to silence her, but the victim fought back fiercely, biting him, screaming for help, and elbowing him in resistance. Startled, Knight fled the scene towards Hunts Road. Police were immediately alerted and officers arrested Knight nearby shortly after the incident.

Knight was charged with one count of false imprisonment and one count of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence. On 6 May 2022, he admitted to the false imprisonment charge but denied the sexual intent charge, leading to a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court. The trial commenced on 11 January 2023, and on 18 January 2023, the jury found him guilty on the second charge.

Sentencing occurred on 31 March 2023 at Portsmouth Crown Court, where Knight received a custodial sentence of eight and a half years in prison. He was also mandated to register on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Detective Constable Amy Hicks, from the investigating team, commented on the case: 'This was an incredibly frightening attack on a woman who was going about her normal daily business. No person in our community should ever be put at risk or have to feel afraid of spending time outdoors in their local area.' She further praised the victim's courage, stating: 'Incidents such as these have a lasting impact on victims as well as the wider public, and men like Knight simply do not deserve a place in society. I am pleased that he is now in prison where he belongs, and want to thank the woman involved in this case for her unwavering courage which has resulted in this dangerous man being brought to justice.'

The case was handled by Hampshire Constabulary, highlighting the dangers of isolated public spaces and the importance of swift police response in preventing further harm. Court records and ITV News Meridian reporting confirm the details of the assault, the trial proceedings, and the sentencing outcome.