A butcher who attacked and raped a woman in Camden has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

John William O’Neill, 29 of Yeoman Street in the Surrey Quays area of Lewisham, South London, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday. He will be eligible for parole after five years.

He pleaded guilty last month to one count of rape and two counts of assault by penetration, appearing via video link at the court.

O’Neill carried out the attack in Camden Gardens off Kentish Town Road just after 11 pm on Sunday June 4. His victim, a woman in her 40s, had been out to meet a friend in Camden High Street earlier in the evening. After leaving the pub, she walked homewards along Kentish Town Road; O’Neill attacked her after she turned into Camden Gardens.

Her attacker was arrested on 6 June and charged after appearing at Westminster Magistrates Court.

“O’Neill carried out a sustained and brutal attack on his victim in the street,” said Detective Constable Devina Myrie, the investigating officer from the Central North Command Unit’s Safeguarding Investigation Team. “He is a dangerous offender and the life sentence handed down today reflects the risk he poses to public safety.

“The attack has had a profound effect on the victim. She has greatly assisted the investigation and shown immense courage throughout. She continues to be supported by specialist officers.

“I would like to thank officers within the Safeguarding Investigation Team at Holborn for their commitment and dedication to the investigation, which helped secure this conviction.”