A 'dangerous sexual predator' has been found guilty following a three-day spree of sexual assaults across Southend.

Albert Stone, of no fixed address, attacked three separate women March 31, April 1 and April 2 of 2020.

In each instance, the 30-year-old snuck up on the women, who were not known to him, from behind before grabbing and sexually assaulting them.

On the first day of his spree of terror he attacked a lone woman on a morning power walk by the cliff steps at the Cliff’s Pavilion. The woman managed to free herself and shouted at him before fleeing the scene.

The next morning the sex pest assaulted a woman who had stopped to pick something up as she was walking down to the seafront from Southend High Street.

The court previously heard Stone had approached her from behind and thrust his groin into her back, saying “you want this, don’t you”.

Stone’s most egregious attack came on April 2 in Chalkwell Park. The victim told police she heard someone running behind her and though it was a jogger running past.

She stood against some railings to get out of the way but was grabbed by Stone who used one hand to hold the woman, and another to sexually assault her.

They ended up on the ground with Stone on top, where he sexually assaulted her again, Basildon Crown Court heard last week.

He ran off after she kicked out at him and screamed for help.

In each case the women were able to give a good description of Stone meaning officers could link the incidents and he was the same day as the last attack.

Stone was charged with one count of assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault, all of which he denied.

He was found guilty at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, July 23 and will be sentenced at the same court on August 23.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Gary Fernon, from the Adult Sexual Assault Investigation Team, said: “Albert Stone is clearly a dangerous sexual predator who targeted women on their own during the national lockdown, knowing that there would be few witnesses to the attacks.

“During interview he showed no remorse for the attacks he carried out and obviously has little respect for the women he’s assaulted.

“I want to praise the bravery of the women involved. The descriptions they provided to the police of Stone were really important in helping us link the attacks and identify him.

“These would have been terrifying incidents and I admire the courage they have shown.”

Essex Police, as per force policy, have yet to release a mugshot of Stone as he has not yet been sentenced.