Matthew Thomas Banks, then aged 40, of Wheldrake, York, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment (60 months) at York Crown Court on Friday, 4 September 2026, after admitting to sexual offences committed against a woman inside her home.
The conviction follows an investigation by North Yorkshire Police’s City & Selby Criminal Investigation Department into an incident that took place in the early hours of Sunday, 25 July 2021.
The court heard that Banks was present inside the victim’s residence when he launched the attack.
The victim managed to escape from the premises and raised the alarm with neighbours, who assisted her in contacting emergency services.
Police arrested Banks at his address later that day on suspicion of assault by penetration.
During police interviews, Banks denied all involvement. He continued to deny the allegations until August 2026, changing his plea to guilty on the first day of his trial after forensic evidence established his culpability.
Banks pleaded guilty to:
- Sexual assault by penetration
- Sexual assault by touching
In a victim impact statement read to the court, the survivor described the devastating consequences of the assault, explaining that she continues to experience panic attacks, night terrors, flashbacks, and episodes of dissociation that have profoundly impacted her personal life and career.
Detective Constable Sarah Scott commended the victim for her bravery throughout the five-year inquiry, criticising Banks for causing additional distress by waiting until the morning of the trial to admit his guilt.
The presiding judge handed down a custodial sentence of five years’ imprisonment.
Release Calculation: Under UK sentencing legislation governing sexual offences, Banks is required to serve two-thirds (40 months / 3 years and 4 months) of his 60-month sentence in prison custody before becoming eligible for statutory release on licence. His projected release date falls in January 2030, whereupon he will remain subject to licence conditions and statutory community supervision until the expiration of the full term in September 2031.
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