A man who sexually assaulted an elderly stranger as she screamed for help inside a town centre church has been jailed.

Steven Reble attacked the woman, who is in her 70s, after throwing her to the ground in St Mary and Eanswythe’s Church in Folkestone in July last year.

The 45-year-old then set upon two terrified women, one aged in her 80s, who rushed to the victim’s aid.

Reble was jailed at Canterbury Crown Court for four years on Tuesday, with a judge branding his actions “bizarre, gratuitous and violent”.

“You entered a church and came into contact with your victim,” said Judge Simon James, who handed down an extended sentence.

“You grabbed her by her hair, pulled her to the ground straddling her, ripping at her clothing as you appeared to be attempting to remove your shorts.

“These bizarre, apparent random attacks against strangers are of considerable concern. It is clear you have no control of your actions while intoxicated.”

As one witness rushed to help Reble’s victim he threw her to the floor, then flung another against a set of rails, causing cuts and bruises.

Thanks to the efforts of the two women, Reble’s victim was able to escape.

She scrambled inside the vestry and shouted for someone to call 999.

Reble was arrested at his home in nearby Longford Terrace, said prosecutor Paul Valder.

The attacks came days after Reble approached another stranger in Folkestone High Street and made “graphic sexual suggestions”, the court heard.

Read more:

• To read more of our in depth coverage of all of the major trials coming out of crown and magistrates' courts across the county, click here.

• For information on how we can report on court proceedings, click here.

He then made threats towards Rainbow Centre staff who intervened.

Reble, a carer for his wife, was under the influence of alcohol and prescription drugs and claims to have no recollection of either events.

But he pleaded guilty to sexual assault, occasioning actual bodily harm and assault by beating at an early opportunity, for his actions inside the church.

He also admitted a public order offence for his behaviour in Folkestone High Street, the court heard.

During Tuesday’s hearing, Reble’s wife unleashed an outburst protesting his innocence, prompting the judge to order her out of the public gallery.

Meanwhile, one of the women who intervened in the church told the court Reble rendered her “shaken to the core”.

The woman approached in Folkestone high street also described how she was “much more vigilant and conscious of her own safety”.

Mitigating, Gordon Ross said Reble, who has never been convicted of a sex crime, suffered a traumatic childhood leading to alcohol abuse and personality disorder traits.

Wearing a grey sweatshirt and glasses, appearing remotely from HMP Elmley, Reble was placed on mute after interrupting the proceedings.

He was ordered to complete two thirds of his sentence before being considered for parole, and a further three years on licence.

"Reble's actions showed him to be a dangerous man and I am pleased he is now off of our streets and will be subject to strict conditions on his release from prison."

Reble was placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Commenting on the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Ben Loose said: "This incident would have been extremely frightening for the victims and I hope the swift arrest made by police and the prison sentence now handed down helps them in their recovery from what happened.

"Reble's actions showed him to be a dangerous man and I am pleased he is now off of our streets and will be subject to strict conditions on his release from prison."

For more information on how the force is tackling violence against women and girls, and safety advice, click here.