A WOMAN was sexually assaulted in her home after she responded to a Gumtree advert for a pet dog.

Michael Scott, 41, has been jailed after admitting to sexual assaulting a 26-year-old woman last November.

The pair met after the female victim responded to Scott's post on Gumtree, advertising the sale of his Staffordshire bull terrier.

Scott arranged to meet the woman to see if she and the dog would be a good fit and the pair eventually returned to her home in Gateshead, where he refused to leave, took the woman's phone to prevent her from calling anyone, and sexually assaulted her.

When he eventually left, he took the victim's mobile phone so she could not call the police.

The woman, who has learning difficulties, told police the following day and Scott was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault.

He later admitted two charges of sexual assault by touching and one charge of theft at Newcastle Crown Court.

Scott, of Northbourne Street, Gateshead, has been jailed for two years and eight months and will spend an additional three years on licence.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rob Thorpe said: "The victim in this case was incredibly vulnerable and did not know what to do when Scott turned up at her home and forced himself inside.

"She felt scared and intimidated and was too scared to call for help. She tried to remove herself from the situation by going to her bedroom but Michael Scott had one thing in mind.

"I have no doubt that he went to that address with the intention of engaging in sexual activity regardless of whether the woman consented.

"He is a sick pervert who has previous convictions for sexual offences and he deserves to spend a significant amount of time behind bars.

"I know how difficult this whole process has been for his victim and I want to take this opportunity to praise her for the bravery she has shown since first reporting the abuse.

"Hopefully other victims of sexual assault are inspired by the courage she has shown and report their abuse to police."

In a statement read at Scott's sentencing hearing, his victim said the attack had left her terrified of living in her own home.

She said: "When Michael Scott was in my house I was terrified and scared. I didn't know who he was, he came out of nowhere.

"The only thing I wanted to do when he came to my house was to buy his dog, nothing else. When he took my phone off me I was worried that my family couldn't get in touch and I couldn't ring them.

"Since that day I have been getting down more and more. I feel like I wish I wasn't here sometimes.

"I used to have no issues and enjoyed living at my flat but since this happened I have been getting frightened at the slightest sound.

"It is bad, but really bad at night, as there is nobody around and it is pitch black. I am terrified letting my dog out in the garden.

"I wish I had never met Michael Scott. I would be terrified if he got out of prison or out on bail. I never want to see him again."

The dog was eventually re-homed with members of Scott's family following the case.