Man jailed for five years for sexual assault

A man who subjected a woman in York to what police have described as a "terrifying and traumatic" sexual assault has been jailed for five years.

Matthew Banks, 40, of Wheldrake, near York, admitted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching and was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday.

The attack took place in the early hours of 25 July 2021 while Banks was at the woman's home, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The victim, who later escaped and sought help from neighbours, told the court the assault had affected "almost every aspect of my life" and that it would take "a long time" to fully heal.

In addition to his jail term, Banks was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Banks initially denied the allegations, but changed his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial.

Forensic evidence supported the victim's account and linked him to the offences, police said.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the woman said she continued to suffer panic attacks, anxiety and episodes of dissociation, and had experienced night terrors and flashbacks in the years since the attack.

The court heard she was fearful of visiting places she once enjoyed because of the possibility of encountering Banks, according to police.

In her statement, she said the assault had left her feeling "less than human", "less of a woman" and as though she was "damaged goods".

Following sentencing, Det Con Sarah Scott said: "Banks subjected his victim to a terrifying and traumatic ordeal, which she showed immense courage in reporting to police."

Banks had continued to deny the offences until the start of his trial, causing further distress by leaving the woman facing the prospect of reliving her experience in court, Scott added.

"I hope this sentence provides some closure to her, and reassures other victims that sexual offences are treated with the utmost seriousness by both the police and the courts."

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