A man found guilty of sexually assaulting a 19-year-old who had only been in the UK for four days has been jailed for four years.

Yathukulan Paskaramoorthy, of Kingsbury near Colindale, followed the student as she attempted to exit Tiger Tiger, a night club in Haymarket, and attacked her when she was alone around 1.30am on September 17.

The 33-year-old had pleaded guilty to the attack and was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday (November 23).

The woman had mistakenly made her way into the basement of a neighbouring building where Paskaramoorthy pushed her to the floor and proceeded to sexually assault her.

He fled the scene when the victim fought back and shouted there was a camera recording the attack – there is no indication the two had any contact in the club prior to the assault.

Speaking about the attack, the woman, who cannot be named, said: “I had only been in London for four days at the time and I didn't want to tell my parents as I felt it would affect them psychologically and they would want me to come home straight away.

“I didn’t want to worry them so I just went to my roommate and cried because I had to get it off my chest.

READ MORE: Yathukulan Paskaramoorthy, from near Colindale, pleads guilty to sexual assault of 19-year-old student in Tiger Tiger, Haymarket

“I hate that it happened, but I fought the guy off and I was glad I did because I do not want him to do worse to someone else.

“I'm very apprehensive about going out with university friends now and I do not.”

Tiger Tiger received an email from the woman about the attack and forwarded it to police, who reviewed CCTV footage and uncovered information on Paskaramoorthy as his ID had been scanned on entry to the club earlier that night.

He was arrested and a search of his Oyster card history helped place him at the club at the right times.

Detective Constable Ben Lucas, investigating officer from the Met's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said: “This was a predatory attack on a vulnerable young woman and has left her fearful to go out with friends.

“I would like to praise her for her courage in coming to us and helping us to bring Paskaramoorthy to justice.

“The sentence passed will give him time to reflect on his horrific actions and how he has affected this young woman’s life.

“I would also like to thank the staff at Tiger Tiger for all their help with the investigation, including helping us to identify Paskaramoorthy so quickly.”