A RAPIST claimed he was asleep and did not know what he was doing while he had sex with two women.

Michael Adamson, aged 27, told Bolton Crown Court he had a rare disorder called sexsomnia, which causes sufferers to perform sexual acts while unconscious and unaware of their actions.

During his three-week trial at Bolton Crown Court, prosecution and defence experts agreed the condition exists but differed over whether Adamson had it.

After a day-and-a-half of deliberation, however, the jury of four men and eight women took found Adamson guilty of two counts of rape and a further charge of sexual penetration.

He was cleared of two further rapes and a sexual assault.

Adamson, of Morton Street, Radcliffe, had denied all the offences, which were said to have taken place between January 2009 and December 27, 2012.

Adamson first raped a woman in 2009 after she had been out drinking and he collected her in his car.

A friend of the woman told the court how his victim, following the assault, had been hysterical and resorted to self harm.

The woman’s mother added that she overheard her daughter on the telephone to Adamson accusing him of raping her and her stepfather revealed that he received a text message from Adamson expressing regret over his behaviour.

The court also heard how Adamson was heard laughing and joking with a man in a pub and referring to sexsomnia in 2013 after he had raped another woman.

Adamson’s friends and family wept quietly in the public gallery as Judge Timothy Stead remanded him in custody until psychiatric and other reports can be prepared and his sentencing takes place on July 3.

Colin Buckle, defending, made an application for bail for Adamson, which was refused.

“You are in a very serious position,” the judge told Adamson.

  • What is sexsomina? Read our guide here.