A sex attacker has been jailed for five years after a vicious assault in a Slough churchyard.

Winson Benta,59, of no fixed address, was found guilty of sexual assault, actual bodily harm and committing actual bodily harm with intent to commit a sexual offence following a trial lasting five days at Reading Crown Court which ended August 28.

Today he returned to be sentenced.

READ MORE: Convicted of sexual assault after Slough churchyard attack

Benta has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Between 7.30pm and 7.45pm on January 30 2019, the victim, a woman aged in her thirties, was approached by Benta in St Mary’s churchyard in Church Street, Upton, Slough.

Benta knocked the victim unconscious and then went on to sexually assault her before he was interrupted by a passer-by.

READ MORE: Slough man faces sexual assault and kidnapping charges

Following an investigation, Benta was arrested on March 6 this year as a result of DNA evidence. He was charged the following day.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jessica Lawson, based at Slough police station, said: “This was a targeting of a lone female at night in the churchyard where she was grabbed, dragged across the ground and sexually assaulted.

"In her sentencing remarks, the trial judge described the attack as a prolonged, persistent and humiliating attack and said that Benta’s account was wholly inconsistent.

“I would like to praise the victim for her courage and patience while we conducted this investigation.

“Benta’s account was wholly inconsistent and was rejected by the jury.

“Thames Valley Police will leave no stone unturned to investigate reports of sexual offences and will work hard to bring violent offenders like Benta to justice.

“Victims will always be listened to, supported, and treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

“I hope that this sentence will give the victim some form of closure, and re-assure the local community that we will always investigate and prosecute offenders like Benta.”