A predator who tried to rape a Fife woman after a terrifying, early-morning park attack has been jailed.
Dean Stevens followed his victim into Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline at around 6.20am on Sunday, May 24 2020.
He pushed the 25-year-old woman to the ground who struggled before he made off.
Police slammed the assault as 'terrifying' for the victim who was 'left extremely shaken and upset'.
They believe 40-year-old Steven's sick actions were 'sexually motivated'.
Stevens pled guilty to attacking a woman with intent to rape at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, May 7, 2021.
He received an order of lifelong restriction with a minimum sentence of two years and three months in prison.
The order ensures that if Stevens is released, he will be subject to intense supervision.
Police welcomed the sentencing.
Detective Inspector Kelly McEwan said: “We welcome today's sentence, in particular the imposition of the Order of Lifelong Restriction which affords the protection of an indeterminate sentence, ensuring that Stevens' release is not guaranteed after his minimum sentence is served and he will not be released until the Parole Board are satisfied that imprisonment is no longer necessary for the protection of the public.
“This was a terrifying attack which I've no doubt was sexually motivated and would have been even more severe if the woman had not managed to fight him off.
“Fortunately she was not seriously injured but was left extremely shaken and upset.
"I want to thank her for her courage.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to say that Police Scotland is determined to bring sexual offenders to justice.
"We treat all sexual crime with the utmost seriousness and encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual offending to come forward where they will be supported by specially trained officers.
“You can contact officers via 101, or 999 if it is an emergency.”
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