THE former director of an Andover-based company who sexually assaulted a woman 'while she slept' in a Newbury hotel has been jailed for more than three years.

A court heard the woman woke to find Marcus Sawkins, 53, inappropriately touching her after the pair had been out drinking on the evening of June 30, 2018 and returned to the hotel.

Sawkins, of Dabbs Hill, Northolt, Ealing, denied the assault but was convicted at Reading Crown Court following a four day trial between July 11 and July 14, this year.

On Tuesday, September 6, he was jailed for three years and nine months.

DC James Postans said: "Marcus Sawkins took advantage of a vulnerable woman, who was not in a position to consent to any activity.

"He has shown no remorse and has sought to place the blame on the woman throughout this investigation and criminal proceedings.

"I want to commend her for her bravery in coming forward and reporting what was understandably an extremely upsetting assault.

"Hopefully this jail sentence will provide her some comfort as she seeks to move on with her life.

"Our team worked tirelessly to get this case to court and obtain justice for her. We take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously and will relentlessly pursue perpetrators."

Sawkins was previously a director of GFMS Services Ltd, based at Aldwych House on Winchester Street. Companies House says he resigned on July 20.

He previously worked as an assistant manager for CK Andover Football Club between 2012 and 2016.