AN EX-SOLDIER who raped a woman in her home has been sent to prison for six years.

Former British Army infantryman Gerard Frew looked on as he was jailed yesterday, shedding tears as dock officers walked him out of the court room.

He had denied raping the woman in the early hours of May 30 last year, claiming she consented to the sexual activity, but was convicted after trial.

During sentencing, the 27-year-old wiped away tears, muttering "liar" from the dock, as Oxford Crown Court heard of the trauma he caused to his victim.

In a video played to the court, the victim said she felt her body "betrayed" her, adding: "I'm not the same, I don't think I will ever be the same. For a while I thought I saw his face everywhere."

The mother went on to say she has since left her voluntary work as a youth leader, feeling "guarded" and unable to trust people.

Sentencing, Judge Ian Pringle QC told Frew, who was supported in court by his pregnant girlfriend, he attacked the woman to satisfy his sexual desires.

He added: "I think the most aggravating feature of this offence is the fact that you, having been invited to this woman's house for the first time and having never met her before, thought it was appropriate to get in her own bed, in her own bedroom, and try and commit this offence."

A jury of six men and six women delivered its majority verdict after six hours and four minutes deliberating.

During the trial, the court heard Frew and his friend bumped into the victim when she was out in Banbury, later arranging for the pair to go back to her house.

Jurors were told the victim was asleep in her bedroom, with Frew’s friend, when the defendant began raping her.

They heard Frew began crying after the victim woke up, told him to stop and asked him to apologise.

Defence barrister Adrian Amer told the court yesterday Frew served in tours in Afghanistan and Iraq before leaving the army in 2012 but was now suffering with post traumatic stress disorder.

He added the defendant, of Prescott Avenue, Banbury, was made homeless last Christmas after being signed off work, where he was a chef.

Frew must sign the sex offenders register for life and pay a victim surcharge.