'Danger' man, 36, locked up for attack

A thug who stamped on a pensioner's head in a terrifying sexual assault in Walsall town centre has been put behind bars for the protection of the public.

Judge John Warner branded 36-year-old Paul Britton "a very dangerous man" and warned him that he may never be released. His victim's dentures and blood were found at the scene the next day by an office worker who contacted police, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

The 67-year-old crawled home after the attack in Midland Road in the early hours of December 5 last year. She later underwent surgery for her injuries.

Britton, of Carisbrooke Road, Friar Park, Wednesbury, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, grievous bodily harm with intent, sexual assault and committing acts to pervert the course of justice.

Mr Hugh O'Brien-Quinn, prosecuting, said the pensioner had gone to a cashpoint machine when Britton pounced.

Yesterday he was imprisoned for the public protection for a minimum of six years and will be on licence, should he be released, for the rest of his life.

Judge Warner told him: "You may never be released. This was a horrifying, violent sexual attack on a defenceless woman."