A former soldier who tried to rape a woman at his home has been jailed for five years.

Jeffrey Shields struck at the flat in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire, days before Christmas 2019.

The 44-year-old was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He had earlier stood trial accused of raping the woman before jurors found him guilty of the reduced charge of attempted rape.

Judge Michael O'Grady KC was told how the sex attacker now admitted responsibility for what he done.

Janice Green, defending, said: "There has been a change of perspective Mr Shields has now found having heard the woman give her evidence.

"The author of the (pre-sentencing) report appears to accept that he has accepted his guilt and he tells me that it is so.

"He accepts that he did not have consent or a reasonable belief in that consent."

Describing his time in the armed forces, the advocate also stated: "He had been a man of previous good character.

"I say that with regard to his military service - six years and a tour of Iraq. 

"In addition, for a number of years, he has offered voluntary service in veteran groups which are for those traumatised by war

"He also assists in a website for other veterans."

Shields, still of Hamilton, was also placed on the sex offenders’ register.