A man has today been sentenced to four year’s imprisonment for indecently assaulting a woman in south-west Essex more than 21 years ago.

On Bank Holiday Monday, May 27, 1991, a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in South Ockendon.

On Wednesday, October 10, 2012, detectives from Essex Police’s Cold Case Investigation Team arrested Phil Collins and later charged him with indecent assault relating to the 1991 attack.

In 1991, he was known as Philip Treble.

The 53-year-old man of no fixed address appeared at Basildon Magistrates Court on Wednesday, October 24 and was remanded in court custody.

At Basildon Crown Court today, he pleaded guilty to indecent assault.

He was sentenced to four years in prison to run concurrently to the 13-and-a-half-year sentence he is currently serving for other offences.

Investigating Officer, DI Jo Williams, said: "The victim is extremely relieved that at last the man who attacked her has been identified and has today admitted his guilt.

"She is grateful that her case was never closed and is thankful that she will not have to give evidence and can finally get on with her life.”