A man has been jailed for committing sexual assaults and unprovoked attacks on two women.

Mentesnot Cheru, 29, of Winchelsea Road, Tottenham, was convicted at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court on Thursday, June 27, after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault and possession of cannabis.

He was given a total sentence of five years and eight months at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday, September 11, and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.

Cheru must serve two thirds of his sentence and there was a finding of dangerousness meaning that he cannot be released until the parole board are satisfied he is safe to do so.

Both of the attacks took place on Thursday, April 4, the latter at approximately 10:20am when a 20-year-old woman was walking along Philip Lane, Tottenham.

She then turned left into Clyde Road behind Tottenham Green Pools and Fitness before noticing a man running behind her.

Moments later Cheru approached her from behind and sexually assaulted before swearing at her and punched her around five times across her upper body and face.

The incident was witnessed by a passing motorist who intervened and filmed Cheru on his mobile fleeing away.

As a result of this incident the victim was extremely traumatised and sustained injuries that required hospital treatment.

The other attack occurred only minutes earlier between 10:15-10:20am, the victim being a 27-year-old woman also walking down Philip Lane.

Cheru approached her from behind and slapped her hard to her lower body before he punched her on the left side of her face and said: ‘I know you’ despite being a stranger.

The investigation team then launched a media campaign alongside other enquiries in a bid to locate the man responsible.

Coincidentally, on Friday, May 3, motorist that had originally filmed the attacker was walking along Winchelsea Road, Tottenham, when he noticed the same man enter an address.

He dialled 999 and officers attended immediately.

The two victims identified him in an identification process.

During interview, Cheru lied and claimed that he was elsewhere at the time of the attacks.

He was charged the following day and was remanded in custody before he pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial.

During the sentencing the court heard about his very concerning violent offending history.

His Honour Judge G Perrins, said: “You have a pattern of sexual behaviour which is getting worse. You lack insight and have deeply held misogynistic views. You present a very high risk of sexual re-offending.

Detective Inspector Paul Ridley, from North Area CID, led the investigation. He said: “It was clear from the outset that we were seeking a vicious and sinister individual, this was made clear by his offending history.

“He targeted lone women thinking that he could get away with his despicable actions.

“I would like to thank the gentleman that came to the aid of the woman being attacked. Rather than just walking by, he stepped in, stopping her from being injured further.

“He also had the foresight to film Cheru which was crucial as we found all the clothes he was wearing at the time of the attack in his flat. I

“ will be requesting that the gentlemen is formally recognized for his bravery and public spirit.”

“I’d also like to reach out to anyone who believes they may have been attacked by Cheru, please come forward to my team in confidence and we will provide you with specialist support.”