This is the chilling moment when a sexual predator, calling himself “The Beast,” fled after attempting to sexually assault and strangle a woman with a robe cord while she was on a school run.
The masked Benjamin Creek, 31, was “prowling the streets, sexually aroused and looking for someone to rape” — just an hour after committing yet another sexual offense, a court heard.
He pounced on the woman – who cannot be identified – after she dropped her child off at school in Leeds, West Yorkshire, on May 5 last year.
Creek then used a robe cord as a makeshift noose that he wrapped around her neck, before dragging her to a secluded spot at around 9:15 a.m.
He held her down and attempted to sexually assault her, leaving her in fear for her life, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Masked Benjamin Creek, 31, was ‘prowling the streets, sexually aroused and looking for someone to rape’ — just an hour after committing yet another sexual offense, a court heard
He used a cord from a dressing gown as a makeshift noose that he wrapped around her neck before dragging her to a secluded spot at around 9:15 a.m. on May 5 last year.
It was only when the woman screamed and warned a passing cyclist that Creek relented and fled.
Footage released by police after she was in jail shows Creek running away from the area.
He is seen in the distance, wearing a black beanie, black face covering and a black coat with a fur-trimmed hood.
He appeared to have chosen a deliberately convoluted route, police said, and much work still needed to be done to track his movements.
But officers investigating the attack had a breakthrough when they picked up clear images of his face. After a public appeal, Creek was identified and arrested by his own boss.
Creek, who has learning disabilities, has a history of public indecency and exposure, with multiple convictions for masturbating in public, the court heard.
And just days after the attack, he exposed himself to a young schoolgirl on his way to school, police said.
He was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Leeds Crown Court on Friday.
Judge Christopher Batty said, “You were strolling the streets, sexually aroused and looking for someone to assault or rape you.
“It was clear to her what you were up to and she was completely helpless and terrified. Obviously, if that person hadn’t intervened, you wouldn’t have stopped.
“You are addicted to sex, and coupled with your difficulties and inability to control your impulses, I say you are a very dangerous man.”
District Attorney Catherine Silverton said the woman was walking in earphones when Creek put the noose around her neck and pulled it tight, causing her to fall to her feet.
The woman thought she was going to die when he tightened the cord.
She begged him and screamed for help, the court heard.
The passing cyclist heard the muffled scream before Creek let go.
Police searched CCTV footage for a sighting of Creek running from the crime scene.
He gave bizarre answers to police questions during questioning, including calling himself “The Beast” and saying he was Benjamin Creek’s big brother, the court heard.
He was eventually charged with attempting to suffocate, suffocate or strangle another person to commit a criminal offense and assault.
He was also charged with indecent exposure from May 9, when he exposed himself to a 13-year-old schoolgirl.
There were four other incidents of masturbation, including on a public bus and a bus stop, the court heard.
One such incident took place just an hour before the woman was attacked. He confessed to all transgressions.
Footage released by police after she was jailed shows the sex fiend running away from the area
And just days after the attack, he exposed himself to a young schoolgirl on his way to school, police said
Catherine Rimmer said soothingly that Creek has a “complex variety of mental disorders,” including autism, learning disabilities and a personality disorder.
She said he has very little understanding of the crimes he has committed.
Creek pleaded guilty and received a 13-year sentence, consisting of seven years in prison and an extended five-year license.
Detective Inspector Suzanne Hall, of West Yorkshire Police, said after the sentencing: ‘This was a very sinister and disturbing incident where a woman was brutally attacked near a busy road as she was walking back from taking her child to school during the morning rush hour. .
“It was a terrifying experience for her and we know she was understandably traumatized by it.
“These violations demonstrate that Creek is a dangerous sexual predator and we hope it will bring some comfort to his victims and the wider community to know that he is now behind bars.
“Getting dangerous offenders like Creek off the streets will always be an important part of our work to keep women and girls safe.”