A LABOURER who subjected a woman to a horrifying sex ordeal has been jailed for more than three years.

The victim was phoning a friend for a lift home as she walked along The Avenue in Southampton in the early hours when she was attacked.

Robert Tokarski pushed her to the ground, put his hand over her mouth to stifle her screams and then indecently assaulted her. The drama ended when a passer-by shouted out and Tokarski nonchalently walked off.

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The Polish labourer was caught after police dog Tango found the victim’s mobile phone battery in nearby bushes.

Blood found on it matched that of Tokarski, who had been convicted in 2005 of drink-driving.

Judge Derwin Hope, sitting at Southampton Crown Court, heard that Tokarski, 36, of Northumberland Road, who was found guilty of sexual assault, refused to accept the verdict.

He claimed he thought the woman was a prostitute who minutes earlier had stolen his money when they had sex in an alleyway.

It wasn’t until he caught hold of her arm and she struck him that he realised he had made a mistake. He pushed her away but she grabbed his clothing, pulling him down on to her.

In mitigation, Renata Jurenko said alcohol had played a significant part in what happened. The victim’s physical injuries were not significant, no weapon was used and the attack didn’t last long.

Jailing Tokarski for 40 months, the judge said it was clear the psychological harm to the victim was serious. The Home Secretary would also consider whether he should be deported, added the judge.

After the hearing, DC Rory Kemper said: “I’m pleased with the result and pleased for the victim and her family in that it will give them some form of conclusion. The sentence reflects the dangerous nature of this offender.”