The Winkler Police Service released a press release Friday indicating that an adult male was sentenced to eight years and five months in jail on June 23, 2017 after pleading guilty to a number of sexual assault related offences.

In June 2014 the police responded to a break and enter at a home in Winkler. The service learned that the suspect had broken into the home while wearing a face mask and had violently sexually assaulted the female resident for an extended amount of time.

Through investigation police were able to use DNA evidence to identify the suspect.

The suspect has since pled guilty to aggravated sexual assault, break and enter into a house, uttering threats to cause serious bodily harm, and commit an indictable offence while having his face masked.

The suspect's name will not be released in order to protect the identity of the victim.