Man found guilty of redway attacks

A man from Milton Keynes has been found guilty today of five counts of sexual assault, three counts of robbery and one count of attempted rape.

Robert Horne - who's 26 and of no fixed abode - was found guilty by a unanimous jury in relation to a series of attacks against women on the redways in Milton Keynes in May and June last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Joe Kidman, who led the investigation, said: “Thames Valley Police welcome the conviction of Robert Horne for this series of sexual attacks and robberies on women in Milton Keynes in May and June last year.

“First of all I must pay tribute to the courage and dignity of the women, and their families, who gave evidence. They did so not least out of a sense of duty to other women. After many months they are working to get on with their lives.

“Investigations such as these, linking together three separate attacks, are always challenging and difficult. I would like to thank the members of the public who came forward with valuable information, as well as the investigation team who have worked with great dedication since these attacks to achieve this conviction.”

Horne will be sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on a date still to be fixed.

Between May and June 2009, three sexual offences took place on the redways of Milton Keynes. Robert Horne was arrested on 29 June and charged on 1 July with all offences.

Another man who was arrested along with Horne pleaded guilty to theft in connection with one of the offences and will be sentenced at a later date.