An Ipswich man accused of attempting to rape two young women in late-night attacks in the town a year apart has denied having a sexual motive.

Giving evidence during his trial at Ipswich Crown Court, 25-year-old Adiley Pires said he had followed the first alleged victim, who was 18, after she left Unit 17 nightclub in October 2021 because he wanted to ask her for her telephone number.

He said he had put on a face mask because of COVID restrictions but had taken it off when the teenager looked back at him and had started running away.

He continued following her and asked her for her telephone number, but she had said no.

Pires said the woman had sworn at him and called him a “perv” and this had made him upset and angry.

He admitted grabbing hold of her near the Foundry Mill flats near Ipswich waterfront and that they had both fallen over. He denied sexually assaulting her or attempting to rape her.

Pires said that after being arrested on suspicion of attacking the teenager he had broken a curfew condition of his bail by getting night work.

He said his work colleagues had called him names including “Zombie” which made him angry, and he had also been stressed at not being told by the police about what was happening with the earlier incident.

In December last year, he had been at a low point and when he saw the second alleged victim walking along a towpath near Tower Mill Road, Ipswich, he had decided to ask her for her phone number.

He said he had become upset and angry because he thought she was going to tell him to leave her alone.

He said he had “lost control” and grabbed hold of her and hit the side of her face when she started  “screaming as if she was about to die”.

He said the 17-year-old had gone to the ground and he had run away.

Pires, who has been described by the prosecution as a “sexual predator” denied sexually assaulting her or attempting to rape her.

Pires of Kensington Road, Ipswich, has denied two charges of attempted rape and three offences of sexual assault.

The trial continues.