WHITSTABLE Football Club manager Jason Bragg has been sent to prison for a year after being convicted of assault and indecent assault.

Canterbury Crown Court was told the assaults followed a confrontation between Bragg, 33, and a woman at his home.

Judge Jonathan Langdon told him: “Men who commit serious and degrading sexual offences against women, particularly when accompanied by violence, should realise that if convicted, they will face a custodial sentence.”

He sentenced Bragg to 12 months for indecent assault and five months to run concurrently for an offence of assault by beating. The judge added: “Women, wherever they are, whoever they are, are entitled to say ‘no’ to sexual activity, and have their wishes respected.

"No person should ever be expected to put up with unlawful violence at the hands of someone else. Men like you, whatever contribution you make to society, if you seek to degrade women by sexual acts and violence, can expect no sympathy from the court."

Alistair Keith, defending, said that Bragg had done much to promote football in the area and to encourage youngsters to take up the game.

Bragg, of Russett Road, Canterbury, denied both offences claiming that during the argument the woman lost her temper and attacked him.