A YOUNG man has been jailed after he raped a woman and hit her over the head with a bottle during a terrifying attack in a park.

Hamid Mahmood, of Griffin Close, Slough, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday after he attacked a woman in her 40s in 2016.

The 23-year-old had been convicted of rape at the same court on February 19 in relation to the incident at Salt Hill Park.

The victim told the court that she feared for her life and had suffered as a result of having the proceedings hanging over her.

At around 2.30am on August 17, 2016, Mahmood was walking near Montem Leisure Centre with the victim and another man.

He subsequently raped the woman and assaulted her by smashing a wine bottle over her head.

She was later helped by two members of the public, who alerted police and Mahmood was arrested later the same day.

Mahmood was sentenced to seven and a half years for the rape offence and a further 18 months for assault. The sentences will run concurrently.

Detective constable Ross Fleming, of Berkshire Force CID, said: “The victim described in court how she thought she was going to die as a result of the wine bottle being smashed over her head and the court heard how much a detrimental effect the incident had upon her life.

“I would like to thank the witnesses who assisted the victim that night and provided evidence at court.

"Without such individuals prepared to do the right thing this matter would not have reached this conclusion.

“However the victim, who was raped and then assaulted, has shown extraordinary bravery in reporting this matter to the police.

"She has constantly assisted the police and then attended court a full two-and-a-half years after that night.

"She is visibly scared from this which will last her lifetime. Hopefully the verdict and sentence will offer some peace in her life now that justice has been done.”