A "DANGEROUS" rapist and a second man who tried to damage the victim's character have been jailed.

Nathan Oghene, 18, of Oxford, (pictured right) has been sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison after he was convicted of raping a woman at an Oxford house in February.

Oghene, of Abingdon Road, was found guilty by a unanimous jury at Oxford Crown Court following a five-day trial that concluded on August 14.

He was sentenced on Thursday and classified as a "dangerous offender" by Judge Peter Ross, who also gave him an extended licence period of a further four years.

Luke Howarth, 26, of Lambeth, (pictured left) has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to committing an act with the intention of perverting the course of justice.

In the months leading up to Oghene's trial, Howarth sent an anonymous letter about the rape victim to her former employer, making malicious allegations about her with the intention of undermining her character for the trial.

Howarth pleaded guilty on September 21 at Oxford Crown Court and was sentenced on the same day and was also ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.

Investigating officer Det Con George Atkinson of Oxford Force CID said: "I am pleased with the sentences and hope that the closure of these two cases now allows the victim to move on with her life. 

"Nathan Oghene was described by HHJ Ross as a dangerous offender and has been jailed for a significant amount of time to protect the victim and the wider public from his offending.

"Luke Howarth was prosecuted for attempting to pervert the course of justice in this case. 

"He foolishly tried to interfere with proceedings of such a serious nature with the view that he was trying to help his friend Oghene and has been punished for it.

"I would like to personally thank the victim and the witnesses involved in both of these cases for coming forward and assisting with the investigation."