PAUL JINKS FROM LONG EATON SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE IN DERBYSHIRE

A man identified as Paul Jinks has been sentenced to prison after a violent and disturbing assault that took place in Long Eaton. The incident began in July 2024 when Jinks was observed following a woman as she made her way home after an evening out. The woman, whose identity remains protected, was walking along Darwin Road when Jinks suddenly ambushed her from behind.

He forcibly grabbed her, covering her mouth with his hand and warning her not to scream. Despite her efforts to resist and fight back, she was overwhelmed and fell to the ground. Demonstrating further aggression, Jinks then lifted her up and dragged her backwards into a more secluded grassy area nearby. There, he struck her in the face and proceeded to sexually assault her, attempting to carry out a rape. The woman’s desperate cries for help were heard by residents in a nearby house, who immediately responded by shouting at Jinks to leave her alone and rushing out onto the street to assist her.

Jinks then fled the scene, running through a nearby garden in an apparent attempt to escape. The homeowner, witnessing the fleeing man, called the police. When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered bloodstains on a broken bin that Jinks had climbed onto during his escape. CCTV footage from the area confirmed that Jinks had been following the woman for some time prior to the attack. The footage also showed him following at least two other women in the area before the assault occurred.

Further investigation revealed that the blood found at the scene belonged to Jinks himself. Authorities traced him to a traveller’s encampment in Cambridgeshire, where he was believed to be residing at the time. Assistance from Cambridgeshire police was enlisted to help locate and arrest him. On July 24, ten days after the attack, Jinks was apprehended and taken into custody. He was subsequently charged with attempted rape.

Jinks, who was identified as being of no fixed address, admitted to the charges. He appeared before Nottingham Crown Court on February 7 for sentencing. The court sentenced him to eight years and nine months in prison, with an extended licence period of six years. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life.

In a victim impact statement, the woman described the profound and lasting effects the assault has had on her. She expressed her fear of going out alone again, stating, “Since this has happened I don’t feel like I will ever be able to go out on my own again, at least not anytime soon.” She added, “I feel like I would be terrified doing this and constantly looking behind my shoulder wondering who may appear behind me.” The woman also shared her shock and disbelief, saying, “I have heard about these things happening but I never thought that this would happen to me.”