A man who committed a series of sexual attacks in Derby has been jailed for 22 years today (25 August).
Ilija High targeted and attacked women in parks and open spaces in the city. Forensic evidence linked all the attacks to the same person.
High was arrested in early 2017 and the Crown Prosecution Service advised that he be charged with three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.
When arrested, he admitted attacking three women and pleaded guilty to all the offences charged. He was sentenced to 22 years with an extended licence period of eight years.
Rebecca Edwards from the CPS said: “Ilija High put these women through a terrible ordeal. Thankfully this kind of attack, committed by a stranger, is rare, but these attacks can put the community in fear.
“Although High admitted what he had done, the CPS had to put the case before the court in a way that enabled the Judge to determine an appropriate penalty for the gravity of the offending and the threat to the community.
“The CPS and police have worked together to build a profile of the defendant and the impact of his actions on his victims and the community. I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and determination to see Ilija High convicted. They have helped us throughout and it is due to them that High has been brought to justice.”
Ends
Notes to editors:
- The attacks took place in the Spondon, Chaddesden and Darley Park areas of Derby.
- High was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and will be a registered sex offender for life.
- Rebecca Edwards is a Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS East Midlands rape and serious sexual offences team.
Background:
Ilija High carried out his attacks because he was unable to form a sexual relationship with a consenting partner. He admitted in two cases to asking his victims for sex and assaulting them when they refused.
As well as the impact on his victims, the CPS has considered and put to the court the impact on the community. Many local people, including children attending local schools, were fearful that the attacks had taken place in such a confined area and were afraid of their own safety, requiring significant intervention from the police to provide reassurance. This has been communicated to the sentencing court in the form of community impact statements.
Following subsequent police investigations and admissions by Ilija High, he has also been charged and sentenced for possession of indecent images of children.
