KAI Connolly has been sent to prison for four and a half years for raping a woman last year, despite her repeated appeals for him to “be nice”.

The 24-year-old, of County Road, appeared before Judge Peter Blair QC at Swindon Crown Court yesterday.

On November 8 last year, Connolly and the woman had arranged to meet at his home for an evening of social drinking, the court heard.

But when she arrived, he was already drunk. As the night progressed, she attempted to placate his advances with minor sexual activity. As he continued to press on with his assault, with his hand around her throat, the prosecution said she shouted, “Be nice, be nice, I don’t want to do this”.

In text messages to his friends after the incident, Connolly said he had “nearly killed her”, according to Rosie Collins, prosecuting.

It was revealed Connolly was an alcoholic at the time, and also struggled with substance problems.

Jailing him, Judge Blair said: “This offence was utterly despicable. Your alcohol consumption and lack of memory provides no mitigation whatsoever for what was an appalling offence.

“And I wonder whether you ever can comprehend the effect you have had on the life of the person to which you were violent.

“What you have done to her has had a dramatic impact on her life. You have destroyed a part of her.”

If Connolly had been found guilty after a trial, he would have faced a six-year, nine month sentence, but with his early guilty plea, he receives credit which docks a third from his sentence.

He was also ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

“This is an opportunity for you to reflect on where your life has gone appallingly wrong already,” said Judge Blair. “I advise you to continue to do so, so when you you’re released you can put together an existence which involves abstinence from intoxicating substances.”

Reading the victim impact statement, Ms Collins said: “The woman is relieved she didn’t have to give evidence.

“She said it is difficult for her to talk about, not only to those involved in this case, but also with doctors, counsellors and the like.

“She suffers from anxiety and panic attacks and has dropped out of college since the incident.

“She has also had time off work with the feelings she has had.”

In mitigation, Rob Ross, said: “He has assisted the victim in knowing he is going to make sure he will never be a threat to anyone else in the future.

“He will come out a much better man than someone who will go down the path of other members of his family, who have been life-long alcoholics. It is awful something like this has to happen to bring this home to him.”