A MAN who carried out a “horrific” sex attack in North Oxford has been jailed for six years.

Iain Nicholson, 51, of no fixed abode, dragged his victim, who was of oriental appearance, off Banbury Road and into the grounds of Fairfield care home where he assaulted her. The attack happened at 10.30pm on July 9.

Nicholson only stopped his attack when the woman made up a story that her boyfriend was waiting for her.

Judge Mary Mowat told Nicholson: “The young lady who was assaulted has lost all her confidence, had her life completely wrecked and described what happened that night as ‘the worst night of my life’.”

She described the offences as “horrific” and added: “Apart from being horrific, it is utterly bizarre.

“About 15 minutes later you follow two more young ladies of oriental appearance, you follow them and run away.

“When you were arrested, you were at an internet cafe looking at images of young women of oriental appearance whether in swimsuit or underwear.”

Nicholson, who was sectioned by Littlemore Hospital a few weeks before the attack, was sentenced yesterday at Oxford Crown Court after admitting one count of sexual assault and two of serious sexual assault.

Adrian Amer, defending, said: “He tells me he feels a great deal of remorse.

“He said: ‘I am very sorry for my actions, I wish to make sure nothing like this happens again. This is completely out of character and I am determined it shall never be repeated.’” Mr Amer added: “He knows he is going to pay for it.”

Although Nicholson had been sectioned by Littlemore Hospital, a doctor’s report concluded there was no connection between this and the offence.

But Mr Amer said: “He felt he was not in a normal state of mind.”

He added: “He had the sense to plead guilty at the earliest opportunity.”

Nicholson was sentenced to six years in jail for each offence to run concurrently. He will also remain on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.