A GWENT man has been jailed for more than four years for attempted rape.

Ian Wayne Fox, aged 40, of Cefn Fforest, pleaded guilty to the offence and was sentenced at Newport Crown Court on Friday.

He was jailed for a total of four years and eight months, and will spend the second half of his sentence on licence. He was also made subject to a restraining order.

His Honour Judge Neil Bidder QC said it was a ‘terrifying ordeal’ for the victim and that she had been ‘frightened’ and severely affected by the incident.

The court heard that Fox used a ladder to climb in through the upstairs bathroom window of the victim’s house in the early hours of July 5 this year

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, woke up and saw Fox standing at the side of her bed near her head.

Jason Howells, prosecuting, told the court that Fox then said to the victim ‘I want sex. This is happening’ before he started taking off his clothes.

The court heard that he then started ‘rubbing himself’ against her as she he pinned her down using his knees.

Mr Howells said Fox then tore off the victim’s underwear as she tried to roll away, before she managed to run to the bathroom and lock the door.

After he left the house the victim went to her neighbour’s house and rang the police.

After he was arrested he told police ‘I shouldn’t have gone down there. I’m so stupid.

Sue Ferrier, in mitigation, said that he was a man with no previous convictions and was ‘genuinely remorseful’.

She added: “Right from the go this is someone who realised what he did was wrong and wanted to do something about it.

“He understands the impact on her and that it has been extremely upsetting and frightening for her.

“He considers that he has lost everything in his life.”

Judge Bidder said the starting point for the sentence would have been seven years, but as Fox had pleaded guilty early he was entitled to a one third discount and handed him a 56 month term.