A PERVERT who filmed himself repeatedly abusing an unconscious woman has been jailed for four and a half years.

Michael Aird carried out a variety of sexual acts on his victim over a two-hour period all the time videoing his degrading actions.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Aird waited until his victim was unconscious before starting his perverted attack.

Judge Howard Crowson labelled the actions of people criticising the victim for coming forward as ‘deplorable’ after he heard she had been forced to leave her own home as a result.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, the sexual abuse had such a traumatic impact on the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, that she now suffers from a seroius illness.

In a victim impact statement read out in court, she said: “As a result of what Michael Aird has done to me, it has made me feel insecure. He got me unconscious and abused my really badly.

“I no longer feel safe in my own home.”

Aird, of Montague Street, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to assault by penetration and two charges of sexual assault. Two charges of rape were ordered to remain on file after not guilty pleas were entered.

Katy Rafter, in mitigation, said her client was a functioning alcoholic who had managed to hold down a job for more than 20 years before he was charged in connection with the sexual assaults.

Jailing Aird for four and a half years, Judge Howard Crowson said: "You sexually assaulted her on the three occasions which took place over two hours, that you recorded the assaults added to her degradation.

"It is clear that she was unaware of what was happening to her and that was the most serious part of the assaults."

The judge told Aird that his actions had ruined his victim's life with many people not believing her. He added: "Any criticism of her was deplorable because she could never have been wrong."