A man who broke into a woman's home in Jersey in the middle of the night and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for four and a half years.

22-year-old Raul Freitas has been placed on the sex offenders register for ten years and has been ordered not to contact the victim for an indefinite period of time.

Freitas broke into his victim's home through the kitchen window, undressed, got onto the bed, and touched her inappropriately while she was sleeping.

The victim described feeling shocked, appalled, scared, and petrified before ordering him to leave and calling the police.

He was charged after his fingerprints were found on the kitchen window.

Freitas was found guilty of break and entry with the intent to commit a crime and sexual touching without consent following a trial in January 2022.

He still maintains his innocence.

The Royal Court heard that the victim, who is in her 40s, has suffered 'extreme psychological harm', has symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and struggles to sleep.

She has also tried to rearrange the furniture in her bedroom because of the memories of what happened.

Crown Advocate Matthew Maletroit described it as a particularly serious and nasty offence, that has left her fearing for her personal safety.

In sentencing, Deputy Bailiff Robert MacRae said it was a pre-meditated assault on a vulnerable woman in a place where she was entitled to feel safest - her own home.

Freitas hasn't been deported because he has a child in the island.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Caroline Foord, says the police are thankful for the victim's courage that she's shown throughout the investigation.

"The States of Jersey Police remain committed to working with key partners and advocacy services such as the SARC at Dewberry House, JAAR and the Jersey Women’s Refuge, to encourage victims of sexual crime to report such incidents.

We will investigate all sexual offences reported to us and put offenders before the courts. We can assure victims that there are a number of agencies in a position to offer support and guidance, through all stages of the criminal justice process."

The Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Dewberry House can be contacted on 01534 888222.