A MAN who raped his wife the night before she gave birth has been jailed.

The 35-year-old man was sentenced to eight years on September 28.

His 37-year-old wife reported the incident to the police in January and an investigation was conducted by the Sapphire Unit at Lewisham police station, which investigates rape and sexual assault cases.

He denied the offence but was found guilty after a trial.

Investigating officer Detective Costable Darren Sonnar said: “I pay tribute to the victim, who had to go through the process of reporting her ordeal and reliving it in court given her relationship with the offender.

“However, I am pleased for the victim the case is now over and her husband has been sentenced for this crime. I hope her courage in going through this court case will lead other victims to come forward and report these crimes.”