Ex-rugby star is jailed for sex attack

A former international rugby star who carried out a drunken and naked sex attack on a sleeping woman has been jailed for eight months. Fly-half Morne Loxton, 26, was said to be feeling bereft with his girlfriend away and possibly wanting affection when he molested a woman at the Lancashire home he shared with a team mate. The victim was sleeping with her boyfriend in the spare room when she woke to find the player on top of her. The incident has devastated the short term future of the South African who is unlikely to get another visa and has seen his wedding postponed, Preston Crown Court heard. Loxton, a professional with Fylde Rugby Club, who had been living at Gregson Lane, Hoghton, pleaded guilty to indecently assaulting the woman in the early hours of Easter Sunday, last April. The offence took place at a three-bedroom terraced house on Church Road, St Annes he had been sharing with a fellow player. Defence barrister Mr Stuart Denney said at the time of the offence he had been drinking and had drunk far more than what he had ever consumed before and his recollection of the incident was limited. Mr Denney said: " His long term girlfriend was in Southampton. He was feeling bereft. He thinks what prompted this is that it has been for a bit of affection". He also said Loxton offered a most profound and straight forward apology to the woman.