Sex beast priest Shashikant Vyas has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in jail for rape.

Vyas, 61, pleaded guilty to pinning down the 41-year-old in the attack on February 1, leaving her with scratch marks all over her arms.

The victim has lost the support of family members who have sided with Vyas, with whom they have built a close relationship during his four years in England, the court was told.

This, according to her victim impact statement read out at Harrow Crown Court yesterday, has left her isolated and led to at least four suicide attempts. Vyas was sentenced today.