A CONVICTED rapist has been found guilty of attacking a woman - with one brutal assault leaving her covered in blood.

Matthew Legg, 39, admitted attacking the woman on multiple occasions.

Appearing for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday, the court heard Legg visited the woman’s Colchester home on November 7, 2020, when he was verbally abusive towards her, before punching her in the face.

The victim was taken to Colchester Hospital but she would not provide a statement to police at the time.

The court heard on November 24, 2020, the defendant returned to the woman’s address after his father’s funeral and he started drinking beer as he was upset.

David Wilson, prosecuting, said Legg then became aggressive and hit the woman with a beer can, before punching her on the nose, causing her to fall backwards.

She later went to have a cigarette, but Legg threw a punch at her and she fell backwards into an oven door which smashed and caused her to black out for a short period of time.

Mr Wilson said: “She described herself as being covered in blood and in pain and went to a neighbour’s address to contact the police and wait for their arrival. “

She suffered injuries to her face and parts of her body from the assault.

Legg was subsequently arrested and gave a no comment interview to police officers.

He was granted bail under the conditions he would not contact the victim or enter Colchester.

However, the court heard the victim and Legg contacted one another and he was arrested for breaching bail conditions.

The court heard Legg, who lives in Crossbush Lane, Arundel, in West Sussex, has eight convictions for 16 offences against him which include being sentenced to five years imprisonment for rape and attempted rape.

Graham Gilbert, defending, told the court Legg has been offered a job as a roofer and asked the judge whether the defendant could attend a course in building relations.

Judge Richard Atchley told Legg: “You have got to be aware it’s got to stop and you only have yourself to blame.”

The judge passed a four month prison sentence on each count suspended for two years.

The counts were assaulting a person thereby occasioning them actual bodily harm, criminal damage to property valued under £5,000 and two counts of assault by beating.

Judge Atchley also made a restraining order from Legg contacting the victim of the assault and a previous ex-partner, directly or indirectly.