A MAN has been jailed for eight years for raping a woman.

Nathan England, 27, from Horley, set himself upon his victim while she slept.

The incident happened at an address in Gossops Green, Crawley, in June 2015.

The woman, who knew England, woke feeling uncomfortable and confronted him before calling the police.

England pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape in March 2016 and faced trial in September of last year.

He was acquitted on one count but convicted of four others.

He was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on January 11.

Detective Constable Andy Robinson, of Sussex Police, said: “The woman bravely reported what she believed had happened to her.

“England took advantage of a vulnerable woman at her most defenceless while she slept.

“The judge said England showed entrenched behaviour towards this woman and the abuse he had subjected her to had not been a one-off.

“We commend her for her courage in coming forward and for working with us while we investigated the offences and brought this man to trial.”