A Workington man has been jailed for a violent sex attack on a woman he met just hours earlier.

Joseph Cooksley, 34, of Gray Street, committed the crime against a woman in Carlisle in March last year.

The attack left his victim hysterical and in tears. The woman’s cries for help were heard by another person in the house who went to help her.

Cooksley had previously admitted a charge of sexual assault and was sentenced by Judge Peter Hughes QC at Carlisle Crown Court yesterday.

Judge Hughes sentenced him to four years and nine months in prison.

Cooksley, who must sign the sex offenders register for an indefinite period, was told by the judge: “It was an absolutely terrifying ordeal for her.

“Had her screams not been heard it is impossible to know just what would have happened.”

The court was told at an earlier hearing that Cooksley and the woman met for the first time in Carlisle earlier that evening.

During the attack which followed hours later, Cooksley put his hand over the woman’s mouth, and she feared her jaw would be broken.

The woman was left “thrashing her head around” in an attempt to force his hand away from her.

Mark Shepherd, defending, said both parties had had a “considerable” amount to drink that evening.

Mr Shepherd added: “It is something he bitterly regrets. This is a man in sobriety who can act responsibly and decently.”

The court heard Cooksley had 10 convictions for 15 previous offences.