Rapist jailed for 'horrific' attack

A man has been jailed for sexual offences and assault following a "cruel, violent and horrific" attack on a woman in Woodhouse, Sheffield.

Simon Lomas, 35, of Wybourn House Road, attacked the woman on 12 April and was arrested when she reported the incident to the police.

He denied the charges but was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court on 27 January of rape, assault by penetration and one count of assault occasioning actual bodily harm< He was cleared of a second count of assault causing actual bodily harm.

He was jailed for 10 years, and given an indefinite restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim on Thursday.

South Yorkshire Police said the attack on the woman had lasted for about 15 minutes.

"Lomas subjected his victim to a cruel, violent, and horrific attack," Investigating Officer Amy Todd said.

"I am glad that he will have a decade behind bars to reflect on his savage actions which will have caused his victim unimaginable pain."

She said Lomas had subjected his victim to "further misery" by pleading not guilty but said he had rightly been convicted of "deplorable sexual and violent offences".

South Yorkshire Police commended the victim for her bravery in reporting the crime and said the force hoped the sentence would bring her "some measure of closure".

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