A WINCHESTER man been given a 13-year prison sentence for sexually assaulting a vulnerable woman.

Liam Foard, 31, had initially denied rape and assault by penetration but changed his plea last month.

A judge at Winchester Crown Court said Foard, already a convicted rapist, was a danger to the public and an extended sentence was needed.

Foard, of Wales Street, Winnall, was sent to prison for nine years but an extended licence of four years was added.

He cannot apply to the parole board for release until at least six years into his sentence and there will be none of the usual release at the half way point.

The court heard that Foard has pressed a "self-destruct button" by telling probation staff that he was still a danger to the public.

Foard did not appear in court in person but via a video link from Winchester Prison. He wore grey tracksuit bottoms, a grey Adidas sweatshirt with a shaven head and beard. At first he had declined even to appear by video link.

The court heard that on July 23 last year he had enticed a woman with learning difficulties out of her home at night and assaulted her.

He was arrested the next day and lied to the police but DNA analysis proved his guilt.

Mitigating, Adam Norris told the court about the pre-sentence report: "On any view it is a difficult report to deal with. It is a report where Foard has pressed th self-destruct button. He has descended into a realm of despair, where he appears to be operating beyound the normal boundaries and limits expected to be enforced in society. One doesn't know if it is for survival about what lies ahead or whether he seeks notoriety.

"Foard had decided not to appear in court and yet he does. There is something of the bold statement followed by a somewhat meeker acceptance that appears in his behaviour. There may be a change of heart in due course."

Sentencing, Mr Recorder Christopher Quinlan QC said Foard had a terrible record appearing for sentencing 28 times for 55 offences. He had been convicted in 2013 of raping a woman and only released in 2018.

He said a victim impact statement showed the attack had had a strong effect on the victim. The judge said: "The effects on her life have been profound. She remains scared of you and what you did to her."

The judge said Foard, who has shown no remorse, may have said things to the probation service "to bolster your own self-image through bravado," but said he felt Foard is a danger to others. "It is some time since I have read a pre-sentence report devoid of hope but laced with menace."

He ordered three more minor offences that Foard denied to lie on the file. He will be on the sex offenders register for life.