A man has been jailed after admitting to raping a woman to a friend over the phone.

Theodore Weatherill attacked the woman after she fell asleep at his home in Ashford.

The offence took place in December 2019, after the victim had been drinking with Weatherill at his home address

She remembered sleeping and woke to find the 23-year-old lying on top of her.

She later asked him whether they had sex but he denied it.

However, he later sent a message to a friend saying he had raped a woman.

Weatherill, formerly of Tennyson Road, was arrested on Tuesday December 31.

"We will find an outcome which is right for you"

He gave no comment in interview but changed his plea to guiltywhen he appeared at Canterbury Crown Court on May 12.

He was brought back before the same court on Thursday July 2, and was jailed for seven years.

PC Alan Atherton-Jackman, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: "I would like to praise the bravery of this woman in assisting our investigation and the prosecution.

"As the judge said in his sentencing remarks, she is not a victim of this crime, but a survivor.

"I urge anyone who believes they have been the victim of a sexual offence to report it to Kent Police, who will thoroughly investigate.

"You will receive the support you need and we will find an outcome which is right for you."

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford