A MAN was sentenced to more than four years in prison for raping a woman while she slept in her own home.

Nathan Williams, aged 22 and of Oakes Street in Kearsley, was sentenced at Bolton Crown Court yesterday for rape and sexual assault by penetration in relation to the incident on August 18 this year.

The court heard how the woman had been drinking heavily and had been sick in a toilet on the evening of the assault.

Philip Dobson, prosecuting, said that the woman and Williams had been in a pub when they both went back to her house where she fell asleep fully dressed on the sofa.

The woman awoke when she started to feel pain in her genitals and when she opened her eyes she saw Williams running to the kitchen.

She challenged Williams about what he was doing and he began trying to deflect the question.

Williams left soon after and the woman later reported the assault to the police.

However, Williams handed himself in to police and made complete admissions about what had happened, even when advised to answer no comment,

In a victim impact statement the woman said that she does not forgive Williams and that her confidence has hit an all time low.

Mr Dobson said: "Every day she cleans the sofa where this happened with a mix of water and white vinegar. That act provides her with some relief."

Mark Friend, defending, said that Williams was 'utterly ashamed and remorseful'.

Judge Timothy Clayson sentenced Williams to four years and four months in prison for rape and three years and three months in prison for sexual assault by penetration, to run concurrently.

A restraining order was put in place and he was placed on the sex offenders register for life.