A SEX offender branded 'a risk to women' was jailed for rape and violent behaviour which drove his victim to the brink of suicide following a trial heard three years ago this month.

Lee Collins was found guilty of rape and harassment which put a person in fear of violence at Worcester Crown Court during a case heard in May 2018.

The jury of seven men and five women took four hours and 26 minutes to finish their deliberations, convicting him by majority decision (10 to 2) of rape and by unanimous decision of putting a person in fear of violence.

He was acquitted of a further rape. The 31-year-old, then of Tunnel Hill, Worcester, was jailed for eight years by judge Jim Tindal.

The case was prosecuted by Michael Hall. Collins was represented by Jason Aris.

During the trial the victim wept as she gave evidence behind a screen, describing how she thought about taking her own life and was forced to leave her home because of what Collins had done to her. At one point she went to a railway line but decided not to end her life when she thought of her children.

The jury also heard about the defendant's previous convictions which included harassment, making two indecent images of a 14-year-old girl in his mid 20s and bringing knuckledusters and cocaine to an FA Cup game between Worcester City and Sheffield United on November 7, 2015.

Jason Aris, defending, said Collins had been awarded enhanced status in prison and acted as a listener for other prisoners which the judge acknowledged was an important role. Collins had also completed anger management and English and maths courses to 'improve himself'.

Judge Tindal described Collins as a man who used 'violence and threats of violence and harassment' to impose his will on women.

He added: "You are someone who likes to be in control and isn't reluctant to use violence to enforce that control.

"You are plainly, as things stand, a risk to women.

"It does not surprise me to hear you say through Mr Aris that you're going to keep away from women for a while.

"Frankly, that is an extremely good idea. But you're not going to have the opportunity to have contact with any women for a while because of what you've done."

The judge said the offences were aggravated by previous violence towards the victim and a background of harassment of women.

The judge jailed him for eight years for the rape and a further 12 months (to be served concurrently) for harassment putting someone in fear of violence. Time spent on remand since he was arrested in November 2017 would count towards his sentence, he was told.

Collins was told he could expect to serve up to four years in custody. He will be subject to a restraining order until further order in relation to the victim. His conviction means he will be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Collins will be on the sex offenders register for life. The judge warned Collins: "If you come before this court again, you will go to prison for an extremely long time."