A MAN has been jailed after sexually assaulting and attempting to rape a woman before punching and headbutting her.

Kieran Cooper, 28, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on December 1 after previously being found guilty of attempted rape, assault by beating and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Cooper, of St Leonards-On-Sea in East Sussex, also admitted an offence of criminal damage.

The defendant was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and given a restraining order of ten years to prevent him from contacting the victim.

The offences, between July 22 and August 10, 2022, involved the same victim in Bournemouth.

He sexually assaulted the victim before headbutting her three times and on another occasion he punched her to the arm.

Cooper also slashed the tyres of the victim’s car.

Detective Constable Robin Mackay, of Bournemouth CID, said: “Kieran Cooper subjected his victim to physical and sexual abuse and she has shown immense courage in coming forward to report these offences and supporting the investigation and court process.

“I want to thank her for the bravery she has shown and hope it has inspired other victims to come forward.

“We will do all we can to support victims of violent and sexual offences and investigate all reports thoroughly so perpetrators such as Cooper are brought to justice.”