A man who committed a series of sex attacks in Bristol has been sentenced to 7.5 years in prison.
On release 33 year old Nigel Turner will spend an additional 2.5 years on an extended license.
At an earlier hearing he had admitted sexual assault, causing someone to engage in sexual activity without their consent, common assault, theft and three counts of voyeurism.
On May 11, 2012 Nigel Turner attacked a 16-year-old woman as she walked home in St George. He was wearing latex gloves and a balaclava was able to assault her before her friend pulled her free and they ran off.
He committed a similar offence on another 16-year-old woman later this month. He was wearing a beanie hat and latex gloves on.
Six months later, on November 28, he had grabbed a 24-year-old woman, also in St George and while concealing his identity, before being disturbed by a passing car. He then ran off, returned to his house nearby and took off his outer clothes before returning to the scene from a different direction and playing the role of good Samaritan to the victim by comforting her and walking her home.
This was one of the most challenging investigations for Operation Bluestone, the team dedicated to tackling rape and sexual assault in Bristol.
To begin with there were few clues to go on so the team brought in a behavioural advisor and geographic profiler to the Serious and Organised Crime Agency.
The expert said that the offender was likely to have stolen underwear and committed voyeurism offences.
Enquiries in the area established that underwear had been stolen from washing lines, although often it was not reported, but the breakthrough came when an officer saw a man matching the description of the suspect at the spot of one the attacks.
In January 2013 Nigel Turner was arrested and the stolen underwear found in his loft and garage. Clothing similar to that worn in the attack was found along with latex gloves.
Speaking after court, Detective Inspector Mike Buck from Operation Bluestone said; ''This particular series of sexual assaults left residents living in fear of Nigel Turner. He preyed on lone women for his own sexual gratification.
''He is a predator and I have no doubt if he was not caught he would have gone on to commit a more serious crime.
''The sentence handed to Turner reflects the serious nature of his crimes and I hope it sends out a clear message to all that we will bring offenders of sexual assault to justice.'' The lead investigator Detective Constable Alice St Johnston has paid tribute to courage of all the victims: ''Their support has been amazing and I’m so pleased they know Turner has been caught and he cannot go on to do this again''.
Crown Advocate James Ward, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ''The CPS worked closely with Avon and Somerset police to piece together the jigsaw of evidence which proved Nigel Turner was guilty of these offences. We painstakingly examined each strand of evidence in order to link it to Turner and ultimately the weight of evidence against him was such that he had no option but to plead guilty, an outcome I hope has offered a degree of comfort to his victims.
''Where there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest to do so the CPS will always seek to prosecute, no matter how long ago the offences took place. Crimes of this nature should not go unreported and unpunished. Nigel Turner represented a significant threat to the public and it is vital that others like him are likewise brought to justice.''
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