'Predatory' man jailed after kidnapping woman

A man has been jailed for 12 years and will spend a further eight years on licence after he dragged a woman from the street and threatening to rape her.

Mitchell Lee Rogers, 36, of no fixed abode, grabbed the woman - who he believed was a schoolgirl - as she walked to work in Henbury, Bristol, between 06:30 and 07:00 BST on Friday 1 August last year, pressing a sharp object to her neck and dragging her to a nearby flat.

The woman managed to escape and Rogers was arrested. He later admitting kidnap and committing a criminal offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Sentencing him at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Martin Picton described the crimes as "utterly horrific, chilling and sadistic".

The judge said the offences were even more concerning as Rogers was under the influence of drugs and seemingly oblivious to his conduct.

Rogers was handed a 12-year prison term and, because the court found him to be a dangerous offender, on his release he will have an extended licence period of eight years.

A breach of the conditions would mean he could be recalled to prison.

His victim suffered cuts, bruising and a neck injury but she has since endured significant long-term psychological harm, made worse by the lengthy court proceedings, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Detective Constable Bethany Burgess said: "Mitchell Lee Rogers is a dangerous and predatory man who targeted a vulnerable person who he believed to be a schoolgirl.

"I want to praise the victim's strength and resilience throughout the investigation."

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