Matthew Wood, 21, of Gordale Close, Batley, was appearing for sentence at Leeds Crown Court having previously been found guilty by a jury of rape and sexual assault on a women on November 6 last year.

Ordering that he serve a minimum of four years before he is considered by the Parole Board for release, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said he had considered his previous pattern of behaviour.

He said in August 2001 Wood was convicted of arson after he had pushed lighted paper through the letter box of a woman who rejected him.

"Fortunately she was awake and alert and discovered what had happened otherwise the consequences may have been much more serious."

In 2004 he approached another young woman and assaulted her before punching her in the face. Later that year he tried to grab another woman after suggesting sex and there had also been a history of police being called to domestic incidents between Wood and various partners.

On November 6 last year the rape victim was visiting a friend's home and stayed the night. While she was asleep Wood went into the room and assaulted her before raping her.

"She woke up, realised what was happened but was too frightened to move and reported the matter the next day," said the judge.

Wood claimed at trial the sex happened with her consent but the jury rejected his account.

Judge Collier said a probation officer assessed Wood as a risk to women because of his "machismo" attitude to them.

He ordered Wood register as a sex offender for life.

David McGonigal, for Wood, said his client did not accept some of the details given in his previous convictions and on any account the current case was unusual in that the complainant was asleep or pretending to be asleep and no coercion or force was involved.