Alan Ginnever

A STALKER who targeted vulnerable females on a countryside walkway was today jailed indefinitely.

Alan Ginnever was told by a judge he would be released only when he was no longer a danger to the public.

Ginnever travelled to isolated places along the Castle Eden Walkway to carry out his attacks and circled one location in his car looking for victims.

The attacks go back to the summer of 2005 when Ginnever was on a bike and ripped the bikini top off a 14-year-old as he rode past near the Hardwick Social Club, Stockton.

Almost exactly a year later, in the same area, he stopped two girls cycling in Darlington Lane, Elmtree, groped a ten-year-old and exposed himself to her nine-year-old friend.

In August 2006, Ginnever approached a 12-year-old and a ten-year-old near Billingham Beck County Park, touched the breasts of the older girl and flashed at her friend.

On March 12 last year, he made a lewd suggestion and exposed himself to a 35-year-old woman walking her dogs near Letch Lane, Stockton, forcing his victim to flee screaming.

Just five weeks later, a 15-year-old girl, who was at the Wynyard Woodland Park with her toddler cousin and brother, both aged two, had her trousers pulled down by Ginnever.

Following the final attack, detectives were so worried about the offender's escalating behaviour they issued an appeal, and witnesses came forward with crucial information which led to his conviction.

Ginnever was arrested after his car was linked to some of the attack scenes, and faced a trial at Teesside Crown Court last month on four allegations of sexual assault and three of exposure.

The self-employed plasterer told the jury he had no idea why he was being blamed, and claimed he was the world's most unlucky man after six witnesses picked him out in identification parades.

Ginnever, of Queens Drive, Billingham, who was convicted of all seven counts, must serve at least two-and-a-half years before he can apply for parole, and has been banned from working with children.

Judge Tony Briggs also banned him from going near children's play parks, wooded areas and the Castle Eden Walkway - a disused railway line linking Stockton to County Durham.

Full story in The Northern Echo tomorrow.

1:08pm Friday 16th May 2008

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