A JURY has found man who beat a woman and twice forced her to have sex with him guilty of two counts of rape.

Andrew Ferguson, of Evansleigh Road, Consett, County Durham, was convicted today (Friday, September 11) after a four day trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

The 37-year-old had admitted assault but pleaded not guilty to the two rapes between May 1, 2014, and May 9 this year.

The court was told he raped the woman after turning up drunk at her home and attacking her on the evening of May 9.

That was the second time he had forced her to have sex with him, having previously done so a year earlier.

Police only became involved after officers were called by the victim’s friend.

Judge Paul Sloan, Recorder of Newcastle, adjourned sentencing for the preparation of pre-sentence reports until the week commencing October 19.

He said: A significant custodial sentence is inevitable in the circumstances of this case. You will be remanded in custody until then.”