Former town pastor jailed for 'vicious' street attack on woman in Brighton

Stephen Jay, 58, self-employed, of Wrights Lane, Kesgrave, Ipswich, was sentenced to two years in prison at Hove Crown Court on Tuesday (August 29) for causing actual bodily harm, police said.

Sussex Police said at about 3am on Sunday, August 14 last year, the 26-year-old victim was walking home alone after a night out in Brighton.

A police spokesperson said: "At about 3am on Sunday, August 14 last year, the 26-year-old victim was walking home alone after a night out in Brighton.

"As she walked up Gerard Street near the city centre she became aware of a man ducking behind cars as if trying to hide. She confronted him and asked why he was following her.

"She crossed Gerard Street onto the nearside pavement and was walking towards Ditchling Rise. Jay then hit her in the face several times; a witness saw the attacker’s hand around her throat and another over her mouth as he straddled her whilst on the ground. Concerned neighbours heard the screams and came to her aid.

"Neighbours gathered up her belongings that had fallen from her bag during the unprovoked attack. A couple of days later the victim went to her bag and found that it contained a baseball cap that did not belong to her. This was sent off for analysis and found to have DNA from Stephen Jay within it."

Detective Inspector Mick Jones said: "Stephen Jay is a former town pastor from Ipswich who was training to be a life coach to provide help to those who need it including the vulnerable. His work as a town pastor meant that he used to work during evenings in the city centre of Ipswich proving support for those often found vulnerable through drink and drugs. He was also a prominent member of his local church.

“Far from protecting the vulnerable, this investigation has shown him to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing; someone who targeted a lone woman walking home in the early hours of the morning and violently assaulted her in an unprovoked attack."