Adrian Gable, 51, was unanimously convicted by a jury at Northampton Crown Court yesterday of sexually assaulting a 56-year-old jogger after trying to abduct her while she was on an early morning run near Blisworth.
He admitted attempted kidnap bu
t denied sexual assault, claiming to have been trying to scare her after spotting her jogging alone.
Clive Sutton, prosecuting, said the woman had been running in Stoke Road, near Stoke Bruerne at 6.30am on Sunday, December 3 when she was approached by a car driven by Gable who told her: "You must be dedicated to be out at this time of the morning" before driving off.
She continued running but soon after was approached by Gable's car again. He got out, tried to force her into the car's back seat, and said: "Come on. Get in the car, You know you want to."
During a sustained struggle in which the woman was able to prevent being bundled into the vehicle, she was grabbed between the legs.
The 56-year-old victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the jury: "He got out of the car and got hold of me and tried to push me in.
"He then came from behind me and, with one hand, he touched me between my legs."
Gable, of St Mary's Way, Roade, denied there had been a sexual motive, pleading not guilty to sexual assault, but the jury convicted him after a brief trial.
Judge Richard Bray said: "It is not entirely easy to sentence because on the one hand it was a frightening experience, but not the most serious.
"Yet, of course, it is the attempted abduction of a jogger which is very worrying for the implications in modern society.
"And of course, the jury have convicted him of a sexual intent.
"What he intended to get up to once he got her in the car is a matter of mystery but he was up to no good and as the jury found, he was going to carry out a sexual assault which is the only conclusion which makes any sense."
Sentencing was adjourned for reports, with the judge warning Gable he faces a indeterminate sentence for public protection.
rob.middleton@northantsnews.co.uk
