A BARRY man has been jailed after raping a woman as she slept.

James Crook, 34, of Guthrie Street, pleaded guilty to rape in November last year and appeared for sentencing at Newport Crown Court on Thursday, January 4.

The charge relates to an incident in October when Crook and the victim had both been out drinking in a group.

The group ended up at the victim's house when she began to feel unwell.

Crook offered to carry her upstairs but she made her own way to bed and fell asleep fully clothed.

Gareth James, prosecuting explained that shortly afterwards the victim woke to find Crook having sex with her and pushed him away.

When in work next day, a colleague noticed that the victim was "crying and shaking uncontrollably."

The court heard that the victim has been left feeling depressed since the incident and has "not had a proper night's sleep since".

The court was also told that Crook has had a problem with drink for some time.

Defending, Claire Pickthall said: "What happened was utterly terrible. But there is clear remorse. He doesn't and has never sought to minimise his responsibility."

"If this man was not so heavily intoxicated this wouldn't have happened."

She said he is aware that this is his fault and his fault alone.

"He is someone who is motivated to commit himself to change," she added. "He has learned a lesson and is desperately sorry."

Judge Neil Bidder said that this was a "serious offence" of rape.

Addressing Crook he said: "You took advantage of her condition.

"She was in a vulnerable condition. The rape has affected her very badly."

But he said that having read a letter from Crook's mother, it appeared the offences was very much out of character for him.

"When sober your attitudes towards relationships are proper attitudes," he said. "You have had a problem abusing alcohol."

He sentenced Crook to four years in prison and ordered him to pay a £170 surcharge and sign the sex offender's register for an indefinite period.