Man raped woman who fell asleep on his sofa

A man has been found guilty of raping a woman after she fell asleep on his sofa.

Paul Rowlands, 55, attacked his victim after meeting her at her friend's house in Chester in May 2023.

Later, the pair went to Rowlands house and fell asleep but the victim woke up to him dragging her on to the floor and he then raped her and assaulted her for an hour during a "sickening" attack, Cheshire Police said.

Rowlands threatened to kill the woman if she was not quiet, a trial at Chester Crown Court heard.

The victim managed to escape to Chester Railway Station, where she told two police officers about the assault.

Rowlands was arrested two days later and told police he could not remember any sexual activity and denied the offences.

He pleaded not guilty but Cheshire Police said an "overwhelming amount of evidence", including from forensic inquiries, led to his conviction by the jury of rape and assault by penetration.

Rowlands, of York Street, Chester, has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on 24 July.

Det Sgt Chester Ward said: "Firstly, I would like to commend the victim for the courage and bravery that she has shown throughout this investigation.

"Rowlands is a sexual predator who took advantage of the victim while she was in a vulnerable and disoriented state, and what he subjected her to was nothing short of sickening."

Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.