A RAPIST who subjected a young mother to a late night terror attack as she cradled her baby has been jailed for seven years.

Craig Waring's victim was so frightened during the onslaught in Rishton last November that she thought she was going to die, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The defendant, who had taken a cocktail of drink and cannabis before he struck, told the woman he was going to get a knife and added: "I am going to go down for this, I might as well finish you off."

The victim was left shaking, was physically sick and had almost 30 injuries.

Sentencing, Judge Barbara Watson told Waring the victim had suffered a humiliating and terrifying ordeal in her home.

Waring, 28, of Chapel Street, Rishton, had earlier been convicted by a jury of rape and making threats to kill.

He had denied the charges but had admitted assault causing actual bodily harm. He was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.

Peter Horgan, prosecuting, told the court Waring had had at least one and a half litres of cider, two cans of lager and and had been smoking cannabis before the offences. He grabbed the woman's arm, dragged her across a bed, put his hand around her neck and started to squeeze.

She was frightened, tried to push him away and pleaded to be let go but the defendant then punched her about the head.

Mr Horgan said Waring told the victim he was going to get a knife, stab her and kill her, as her child sobbed hysterically.

He said Waring ordered the woman to put her baby down and raped her. She was left in pain, scared for her own safety and with 28 separate bruises.

Mr Horgan said Waring later claimed to police he had consensual sex with the victim and denied raping her. The defendant had 15 previous convictions including offences of assault.

Kevin Talbot, defending, said medics had concluded Waring had a personality abnormality but not a psychopathic disorder.

The barrister handed the judge testimonials, including three from former girlfriends of the defendant, who he said, spoke highly of his consideration and care for them.

Mr Talbot told the court Waring's behaviour that night, against a background of drink and drug taking, was exceptional and out of character.

He did not appear to be a person who presented a serious risk of sexual reoffending.