A man who sexually assaulted women after following them through the streets has been jailed for five years.

Kazi Miah, 22, of Cowley Road, Ilford, was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Thursday after pleading guilty to two attacks in Hatfield, Hertfordshire, in June.

Miah approached his first victim from behind, dragged her into bushes and punched her in the face before sexually assaulting her on June 2.

Two days later, Miah grabbed his second victim, tripped her over and sexually assaulted her.

CCTV images of Miah wearing a distinctive jacket were released to the public following the assaults, which led to his arrest.

Detective Constable Beverley Larman from the Local Crime Unit at Hatfield Police Station said: “We had no doubt that Miah’s offending could have escalated into something even more serious which is why we enlisted the public’s help in identifying and locating him.”

“He is clearly a dangerous man and the judge agreed, giving him a substantial sentence to reflect his crimes.”