A man who raped his ex-girlfriend in a “brutal” act of revenge has been jailed.

Robert Maitland, 32, of Hemel Hempstead, was staying in a bed-and-breakfast paid for by his victim while he was on bail for a separate rape complaint.

After hearing that she had spoken to police, he raped her in an attack the judge described as “nothing short of brutal”.

Maitland pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment at St Albans Crown Court on Monday.

Samantha Cohen, prosecuting, said that in a reference to the earlier attack, Maitland had laughed and then whispered in his victim’s ear: "You thought that was rape - this is rape."

As a result of the attack carried out between January 20 and February 9 this year, his victim suffered both physical and psychological damage.

Judge Andrew Bright QC said he had no doubt that Maitland had carried out the rape to cause her "excruciating pain" as revenge for talking to the police.

He said he had concluded Maitland posed a serious risk to the public.

Maitland was told the custody element of the sentence was 12 years, of which he will have to serve a minimum of two thirds before he can be even considered for parole.

Whenever he is freed, he will then be on licence until 2032. Maitland was also made the subject of a restraining order not to contact the woman, and his name will go on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.