THE director of a voluntary organisation set up to help battered men has been jailed for seven years for rape.

Parminder Cheema, 39, launched the Men's Helpline referral and counselling service in December, to give advice to men falsely accused of domestic abuse.

But this week Cheema, of Inglenook Close, Crook, County Durham, was jailed at Teesside Crown Court for raping a woman and threatening to kill her, last July.

A further allegation of rape was ordered to lie on file. He was found not guilty of witness intimidation and harassment.

The court heard the defendant raped and threatened to kill his victim before tying her to a bed using orange material, which was seen as a sign of sacrifice.

Cheema set up the helpline, which won the support of Erin Pizzey, who opened the first women's refuge in the country in 1971, after he had been charged with rape.

Detective Sergeant Tracey Walker, of Bishop Auckland CID, said after the case: "It was a smokescreen. He was trying to make out he was of good character. He is very convincing. He is a salesman.

"He comes across as very well-educated but he could fool people, there is no doubt about that.

"I am pleased the jury realised his victim was telling the truth."

Last month, Cheema claimed his helpline was the only one in the UK for men. Visitors to the website, run by volunteers, can access help and information and give donations.

In a recent interview, he said family law needed to be overhauled.

The Northern Echo contacted the site's 24- hour helpline last night but the calls were not returned.