A WELSHPOOL postman who forced his way into a woman’s house and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for 18 months.

Dean Thomas, 52, of Brookfield Road carried out the attack on January 22 in view of the victim’s two-year-old daughter and Mold Crown Court heard the incident had left the woman traumatised and unable to relate to men.

Thomas persisted after the mother, who was on a “rare night out” fended off his advances in the Wellington pub in Welshpool when he put his hand in her back jeans pocket.

But he went round to her house in the early hours of the morning and put his foot in the door to force his way inside.

Prosecuting barrister David Mainstone said the victim, who was 25 years younger than Thomas, was kissed and groped despite being told to get off her.

When the woman’s daughter started screaming, he told her to go to bed.

Eventually, the woman managed to push Thomas outside and she later contacted him on Facebook to complain about his behaviour.

Thomas denied the allegation when he was first interviewed by police and said he was attracted to her and had been sitting on her sofa but later admitted sexual assault.

Defence barrister Matthew Dunford said Thomas’ behaviour on the night was wholly out of character.

He was experiencing problems after his printing business went bust and his marriage broke down, he said.

He had also lost his father and was caring for his elderly mother on a day to day basis.

Mr Duford said: “He is a proud, devoted father to his son.

"He has expressed a great deal of remorse for his actions.”

In a victim impact statement, the woman told how she was forced to give up her job as a carer because she couldn’t face caring for men at the care home where she was employed.

As well as handing out a custodial sentence, Judge Rhys Rowlands imposed a restraining order of five years duration and ordered Thomas register as a sex offender.

Judge Rowlands, said: “In drink you thought you’d chance your arm and she neither encouraged or gave you a reason to think she was interested in you.

“The offence took place at her home in the early hours of the morning after you forced your way in.

"Your behaviour has had a profound effect on her.”