A MAN who raped a woman in her own home and threatened to kill her has been jailed.

Thomas Freeman was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on Friday, February 10, for raping the woman and threatening to kill her and himself two years ago.

Chester Crown Court heard on Friday that in May 2015 the 55-year-old dragged his victim from the garden of her Penketh home and into her own bedroom before raping her twice.

The following day Freeman, who owned three rifles and 11 shotguns, grabbed the woman by the throat and said he would kill her and shoot himself.

Freeman, of Pontllanfraith, South Wales, had earlier been found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of making threats to kill and two counts of assault after a trial.

A statement from the victim that was read out in court said that Freeman had forced her to do ‘uncomfortable and painful things for his own satisfaction’ that had left her suffering from anxiety and stress.

The court heard that Freeman has a life-limiting tumour, with his defence barrister arguing that any jail sentence would see him spend the rest of his life behind bars.

On Friday, February 10, Recorder Mark Ainsworth jailed him for 10 years and imposed an indefinite restraining order preventing Freeman from contacting the victim and three members of her family.

Sentencing, Recorder Ainsworth said: “It is a serious aggravating factor that you raped the victim in her own bedroom.

“I have heard a personal statement from the victim and it is very difficult and moving document to read about your conduct.

“If I may say so it is very distressing.”

Recorder Ainsworth also ordered Freeman to comply with a notification requirement indefinitely.