A 28-YEAR-OLD man has been jailed for 15 years after sexually assaulting a woman as she walked home from a night out.

Craig Talbot, from Shepherds Row, Castlefields, Runcorn, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of assault by penetration.

His victim − a 26-year-old woman who cannot be named for legal reasons − was walking home after a night out on April 5 near Irwell Lane when she was approached from behind and dragged on to a grassed area at the side of the road and sexually assaulted.

She tried to fight back by repeatedly kicking her attacker but he fled the scene after being disturbed by a passing vehicle.

The victim managed to make her way to some flats nearby and police were alerted.

DC Michelle Thompson, speaking after Talbot was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday, said: "The victim was extremely upset by what happened − she sustained cuts and bruises and attended hospital for treatment. Those injuries have now healed but the psychological trauma of what happened that day will stay with her for a long time.

"I would like to thank the victim for her bravery and co-operation throughout the investigation and I hope that the guilty plea and sentence handed down to Talbot will bring her a degree of closure and allow her to move forward with her life "Talbot′s actions that day were shocking and I hope that his time behind bars will allow him to reflect upon his actions and the consequences of them."

Talbot was arrested on April 16 and during a search of his home police seized a laptop containing a number of indecent images. He was was also charged with an unrelated burglary.

In addition to 15 years in prison for the three offences, Talbot was also given a lifelong sexual offenders prevention order and banned from working with children.