A Weymouth man has been jailed for seven and a half years for raping a woman while she slept.
Richard James Lane, 50 and of Wyke Road, was jailed at Bournemouth Crown Court today, Thursday 28 September 2017, after being convicted of rape following a trial at the same court on Thursday 14 September 2017.
He was told that he would be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
The sentence relates to an incident last year in which Lane raped a woman while she slept at his address.
The victim had gone to sleep and was woken in the early hours of the morning by Lane having sex with her.
The victim called relatives and then the police to raise the alarm.
Officers arrived and arrested Lane. He was charged on Tuesday 6 December 2016.
Detective Constable Andy Thomson, of Weymouth CID, said: “Richard Lane targeted his victim while she was asleep and at her most vulnerable. I hope the sentence handed out today will bring some comfort to her following what has been a very traumatic time.
“Finally, I hope this case reassures the public that we take all reports of sexual offences extremely seriously, will investigate them thoroughly and support victims.”
