A man from Chester has been jailed for more than ten years after he was found guilty of multiple counts of rape.

Aaron Furnival, of Hunter Street, Chester, was convicted of four counts of rape at Chester Crown Court on Monday 9 March. The 31-year-old had previously pleaded guilty to one count of controlling and coercive behaviour.

Furnival returned to Chester Crown Court on Monday 15 June, where he was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

During his trial, it was revealed that a female victim contacted police to report his violent behaviour, emotional abuse and sexual abuse. The woman reported how he would take advantage of her while she was asleep, and she would awake to find him raping her.

Furnival would also ignore the victim whenever they were having consensual sex and she withdrew her consent. She would ask him to stop and he would refuse.

The court also heard that Furnival was controlling and jealous. He transferred money from the victim's bank account, threw water over her while she was asleep, and monitored her movements with constant phone calls and messages.

Furnival used foul and abusive language towards her, made threats to kill her and even wrote degrading words on her skin in marker pen.

Offices arrested Furnival on suspicion of the offences but during interview he denied the allegations against him. Following an investigation, he was charged.

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Following the sentencing Detective Sergeant Andy Manson said: "Firstly, we would like to recognise the bravery of the victim in this case for reporting what happened to her.

"We hope that the conclusion of this case and the hope that the sentence handed to Furnival, will provide her with some sense of closure, knowing that the jury saw through his lies.

"Furnival's cruel and abusive behaviour showed how he clearly had no regard for the welfare of his victim, instead doing whatever he wanted, no matter the consequences to her. He then put the victim through the stress of a trial after he refused to accept what he had done.

"Thankfully, he was found guilty of these crimes and is now facing a considerable length of time behind bars."