A RAPIST has been locked up for five years for attacking a woman while she slept.

Phillip Bullock, 37, admitted raping and assaulting the woman in Tilbury in 2019.

Bullock’s victim said she was left feeling vulnerable after the attack - while Bullock claims to be “full of remorse” for his actions.

He appeared at Basildon Crown Court after admitting rape, causing actual bodily harm, assault by penetration and harassment.

Judge Samantha Leigh told the court that the victim had awoken one night to find Bullock sexually assaulting and raping her.

The court also heard about how Bullock had attacked her with a TV chord which Bullock put around the woman’s neck, before it became unplugged and she could get away.

Bullock, of Brennan Road, Tilbury, was arrested on January 13 this year where he confessed immediately to his crimes to police.

Mitigating, Terence Woods told the court that Bullock’s offending took place when he was intoxicated.

He said: “On his arrest he made what the police have called ‘full and frank’ admissions. He accepted that he had sexual intercourse with her when she was asleep.

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“He pleaded guilty to all of the offences bar the rape incident at a hearing on May 27.

“It’s fair to say that the defendant never intended to put forward a defence to the rape charge.

“What he hoped was that the Crown Prosecution Service would accept the pleas to the other offences and not feel the need to further prosecute him for the allegation of rape.

“Not only does he regret what he has done, he is full of remorse.

“He realised the impact it has had on her. He regrets causing all of the significant distress.”

Mr Woods added: “This is a man who realises that everything he has done to her is wrong and he needs to learn from it and he is prepared to do so, to serve his sentence.

“He plans to go and live with his mother away from the area.”

Judge Leigh jailed Bullock for five and a half years.