A CWMBRAN man who raped a woman has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.

Mark Sterry, aged 25, of Cae Derwen, Two Locks, previously pleaded guilty to the offence at Cardiff Crown Court on June 12. He had been on remand.

Cardiff Crown Court heard yesterday how Sterry carried out the act on March 17 this year after his victim repeatedly refused to give her consent.

The complainant, who declined to give the court a victim impact statement, told the police about her ordeal the next day and Sterry was placed under arrest.

In his police interview, Sterry admitted the charge but said that he thought his victim was “messing around” when she told him no.

Sterry had no previous convictions and, defending, David Elias pointed to the fact that he admitted the offence as early as his first police interview on March 18.

He said: “This is a man of previously good character who has committed a serious offence, which has caused a great deal of sadness.

“He will have to live with it for the rest of his life and he has expressed remorse.”

Judge William Gaskell took Sterry’s previous good character into account, but said that did not excuse his actions.

He said: “You asked for sex and she made it clear to you that she refused.

“I accept the remorse shown, but she struggled and this was an act of violence.”

He sentenced Sterry to three years and four months in prison. He also issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and Sterry will be unable to contact his victim for an indefinite period of time.

Sterry will also have to pay a victim surcharge of £120.