Man jailed for attempting to break in to woman's home to rape her

He was caught during a Garda surveillance operation, which had been set up following harassment of his victim 

James Steele of Reavilleen, Roscarberry, Co Cork, was sentenced to seven years with the last two years suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. Picture: Cork Courts Limited

A 52-year-old man who became obsessed with a woman went on to harass and threaten to rape her. 

However, he was caught in a Garda surveillance operation as he was about to break into her home to carry out his threats.