A man has been jailed for 12 years for a "horrifying assault" on a woman jogging in broad daylight.

Jamie Saunders, 26, of Muirfield Road, South Oxhey, pleaded guilty at St Albans Crown Court today to the charge of attempted rape.

The court heard how the victim had been jogging on a public footpath adjacent to a field on Little Tring Road, Tring, shortly after 4pm on August 10 this year when she heard a gate close behind her.

When she turned around she noticed a man who then pushed her to the ground face down and tried to remove items of clothing.

He also put his hand over her mouth as she tried to call for help.

The victim was able to bite him before calling out a friend’s name and he then made off. She then raised the alarm and called police.

Detective Sergeant Samantha Hunt, from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team, said: “I would like to thank the victim for her courage and tenacity throughout this ordeal and for her assistance which has resulted in this sentence.

“This was a horrifying assault on a woman who was jogging in broad daylight during the summer.

"It raised fear in the local community where such offences are extremely rare.

"The sentence passed reflects the severity of the offence Jamie Saunders has committed and I hope that it will offer some closure to our victim and offer reassurance to the larger community that justice has been done.”