A ‘DEPRAVED and sadistic’ man has been jailed for seven years after being convicted of sexually assaulting a woman.

Colin Evans, 32, left his victim with “trauma injuries” requiring hospital treatment, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Alaric Bassano said Evans was “deaf to her pleas to stop”, during the attack, which took place in Accrington in the early hours of December 10, 2017.

He also placed his hand over her mouth during the incident, jurors at Burnley Crown Court were told.

But the screams of the woman could still be heard by someone nearby, the court heard.

Evans, formerly of Whittaker Street, Blackburn, but now of Fielding Lane, Oswaldtwistle, had pleaded not guilty to three sexual assault offences.

Jurors convicted him of one of the sexual assaults, after a week-long trial, and found him not guilty on the two remaining charges.

He was jailed by trial judge Sara Dodd and ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Mr Bassano said that after the attack, the defendant had made efforts to prevent the woman from going to hospital, in order to seek medical treatment.

He also ordered her not to call the police, snatching her telephone away from her.

But the victim was able to reach a friend’s home and alert the authorities a short time later, the court heard.

She told officers what had happened to her and Evans was arrested.

Interviewed by police, he said that any sexual contact between them on the night in question had been consensual.

Doctors who examined her said she had bruising to parts of her body and injuries consistent with recent “trauma”.

Mr Bassano said: “There is a head-on collision between the accounts of the complainant and the defendant and one of them is clearly lying.

“The Crown is confident that during the course of the evidence you will be able to correctly identify who is telling the truth.”

Speaking after the case, Det Con Lisa Bennett, of Burnley CID, said: “Evans is a depraved and sadistic man who subjected the victim to the most horrific and brutal abuse.

“I would like to commend the victim, who has shown tremendous bravery in coming forward to report this and throughout the court process.

“A dangerous individual is now behind bars.

“Lancashire Constabulary remains committed to investigating offences of this nature.

“We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence to come forward safe in the knowledge that they will be treated sensitively and professionally.”