AN Irish butcher has been jailed for five years for the brutal rape of a woman in north London.
Irishman John William O'Neill, 29 and of Yeoman Street, SE8, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on August 15.
The court heard how O'Neill attacked and raped the woman in her 40s as she walked through Camden Gardens on Sunday, June 4 this year.
The woman, who cannot be named, had been out to meet a friend in Camden High Street earlier in the evening.
She left the pub and walked along Kentish Town Road towards Camden Gardens where O'Neill attacked her shortly after 11pm.
O'Neill, a butcher, was arrested on June 6, and charged with one count of rape and two counts of assault by penetration.
He plead guilty at the same court via video link on Thursday, July 6.
Detective Constable Devina Myrie, the investigating officer from the Central North Command Unit’s Safeguarding Investigation Team, said: "O'Neill carried out a sustained and brutal attack on his victim in the street.
"He is a dangerous offender and the life sentence handed down today reflects the risk he poses to public safety.
"The attack has had a profound effect on the victim. She has greatly assisted the investigation and shown immense courage throughout. She continues to be supported by specialist officers.
"I would like to thank officers within the Safeguarding Investigation Team at Holborn for their commitment and dedication to the investigation, which helped secure this conviction."
O'Neill, who cannot be pictured as he has charges pending against him in Ireland for a similar offence, will be eligible for parole in five years.
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