Shocking footage captures the moment a 17-year-old girl is grabbed by an attempted kidnapper while walking home from work in Swindon town centre.
Abdulmawal Ibrahim Adam, 27, of Stainer Street, admitted attempting to kidnap the teenager earlier this week in a hearing at Swindon Crown Court, after previously refusing to engage with the police and the courts process.
At around 9.30pm on March 6, the Sudanese national approached the victim in Princes Street near Fleming Way in the town centre as she was walking home from work.
He started talking to her which police said was "against her will".
CCTV captures the moment Adam followed her past Swindon Magistrates Court as she walks towards the junction with Fleming Way, while trying to flag down passing vehicles.
(Image: Wiltshire Police)
As the victim crossed the road at the traffic lights, he runs towards her, grabs her and drags her back across the road.
Bus passengers who had arrived at the lights witnessed the incident and intervened.
Adam then ran off down Princes Street, where he tried engaging with another woman and attempted to follow her before she got away from him.
He followed a female witness, before members of the public again stopped him.
The victim's mother reported it to police later that evening.
Police then arrested and charged Adam with attempted kidnap.
The 27-year-old is due to be sentenced on December 12.
Investigating officer DC Anna McCormack from Swindon CID said: "This was a terrifying incident for the victim and I appreciate the significant impact this will have on the victim moving forward.
"I would like to pay tribute to her for the strength she has shown throughout the process.
"I'd also like to thank the various members of the public who assisted the victim at the time of the incident who potentially ensured that the incident wasn't much worse than it was.
"Following the reporting of the incident to the police, it was taken incredibly seriously and Adam was charged and remanded into custody following a swift investigation.
"I'm pleased he has now pleaded guilty and been remanded into custody ahead of sentencing."
Dale Sheehan, Senior Crown Prosecutor, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Abdulmawal Ibrahim Adam preyed on a teenager while she was walking home, putting her through a distressing ordeal after he grabbed her from behind.
"Members of the public stopped to assist the victim, pursued Adam and recorded footage of him.
"Their actions, alongside supporting evidence, were instrumental in securing the conviction.
"Everyone has the right to feel safe and be safe within our community. Violence against women and girls will not be tolerated, and the Crown Prosecution Service is committed to ensuring those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice."