Matthew Ward, aged 21, attacked two women in Sheffield in April 2026 within hours of each other, having been released from prison weeks prior. In the first incident, he punched a woman in the face after attempting to solicit sex; in the second, he pursued and severely beat a woman named Emily as she walked home alone, leaving her with multiple injuries. Ward had previously served 22 months for a similarly violent assault on a lone woman in 2025, making the rapid reoffending notable. He pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm and common assault, receiving a 30-month sentence last month.

Police and prosecutors publicly commended both victims for their courage in reporting the attacks and cooperating with authorities. Sergeant Simon Pickering emphasised the department's commitment to tackling violence against women and girls, while Senior Crown Prosecutor Nathan Hudson highlighted the severity of the unprovoked, sexually-motivated nature of the attacks. Officials called on other victims to come forward, noting that each report helps prevent future offending and brings perpetrators to justice.