Kieran Cooper, aged 28, from St Leonards-On-Sea in East Sussex, appeared for sentencing at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday 1 December 2023. He had been found guilty at an earlier trial at the same court of offences of attempted rape, assault by beating and two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He had also admitted an offence of criminal damage.

Cooper was sentenced to six and a half years in prison and the court also imposed a restraining order, preventing him from contacting the victim for a period of 10 years.

The offences occurred in Bournemouth between Friday 22 July and Wednesday 10 August 2022 and involved the same victim, a woman who was known to Cooper.

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

The criminal damage charge related to Cooper slashing 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.”