A SEX attacker who subjected his victim to a horrendous assault has been jailed for nine years.

Hilland Matthews, of Swallow Road, Ipswich, admitted sexual assault, sexual assault by penetration, and one of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, when he appeared before Ipswich Crown Court last Friday.

At Ipswich Crown Court today he was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Matthews was arrested in November last year, 17 months after he assaulted a woman on the Chantry estate.

He was eventually trapped after police matched his DNA to a familial link on the national database. Police had his DNA after his victim had the presence of mind to scratch his face and arms during the attack so detectives would have a sample from her attacker.

Despite Matthews’ previous convictions elsewhere, it is understood police had been unaware he had subsequently made his home in Ipswich.

He had not been on the Sex Offenders’ Register, as his earlier convictions pre-dated the register, which does not include anyone who was convicted before 1997.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hayward of the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Investigation Team said: “Such offences are rare in Suffolk and it is clear from the manner in which this case has been investigated that Suffolk Police will work tirelessly to bring offenders for such crimes to justice.

“This was an awful attack within the victim’s home. It is hoped that the sentence passed today will bring some justice and closure to the victim of this offence.”