Drummer who raped sleeping woman jailed for six years

A FORMER drummer convicted of raping a sleeping woman has been jailed.

Jake Matthews, who used to play with Bristol rock band Montroze, denied wrongdoing after the historical allegation was made.

But a jury convicted him of rape in a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Matthews, 26, of Glena Avenue in Knowle, appeared for sentence yesterday.

Judge David Evans sent Matthews to prison for six and a half years.

The judge told him: “She said she was tired. She fell asleep with you beside her in bed and she had no worries about that.

“It seems you had been hoping for sex. Rather than waiting until she woke you decided to take the sexual gratification you had been hoping for.”

Matthews was told to register his whereabouts to police for life.

He was barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Charles Thomas, prosecuting, asked the judge if he had read the complainant’s impact statement.

The judge confirmed he had and asked Mr Thomas to read it to the court.

Mr Thomas read how the woman stated: “I want him to realise that what he has done is wrong and take some responsibility for what he has done.

“I want him to change as a person and not do that to anyone ever again.

“No one deserves that. I hope this is a wake-up call so he realises that his actions are not acceptable.”

Michael Haynes, defending, stressed his client was relatively young at the time and conceded he had denied wrongdoing.

Mr Haynes said prison would have a significant effect on Matthews and those close to him.

He said Matthews knew that a lengthy prison term may mean that he would never see his terminally ill father again.