SWANSEA SEX OFFENDER LEO PAYNE JAILED FOR TERRIFYING ATTACKS

A sex attacker who 'prowled' the city center attempting to assault women has been sentenced to prison. The court heard that Leo Payne, aged 20 from Bonymaen, Swansea, tried to attack two women during the early hours of June 23. Additionally, Payne was observed exposing himself and performing a sex act in public, before hitting a man with a wine bottle. Payne pleaded guilty to multiple charges including two counts of attempted rape, sexual assault by penetration, exposure, and unlawful wounding. The sentencing took place at Swansea Crown Court, where it was stated that Payne was given a 16-year sentence, with 11 years and three months to be served behind bars. Prosecutor Carina Hughes described Payne's actions, highlighting that he assaulted a woman in the middle of the road on Strand, Swansea, and later attacked a second woman on Orchard Street under the false claim he had a knife. The victims shared impact statements expressing their fear since the assaults. The judge, Paul Thomas KC, condemned Payne's actions as 'chillingly frightening,' noting that unless intervention occurred, his efforts to rape both women could have succeeded. Payne was also placed on the sex offenders register for life. The court emphasized that Payne targeted vulnerable women in Swansea and continued his offensive behavior after initial attacks. The public's intervention was crucial in stopping the attacks, which included him hitting a man who tried to stop him. CPS Cymru-Wales' Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, Iwan Jenkins, described Payne as having 'carried out a campaign of terrifying sexual attacks and violent offences.'