A DRUNKEN Christmas reveller has been jailed for four and a half years after he hit a woman around the face, swore at her repeatedly and raped her.

Father of one, Jonathan Hutchins, 27, was seen to down around half a bottle of vodka before launching into the violent attack in Burton, Christchurch, Bournemouth Crown Court heard.

Prosecutor Robert Courts said chef Hutchins smacked the woman around the face, leaving her nose pouring with blood.

Hutchins of Barrack Road, Christchurch, also lifted the victim up by her throat and hit her again on both sides of the face despite her asking him to stop.

As the victim sat down crying, Hutchins swore at her. Hutchins then told her: "I've been in prison and I'm going to show you how nasty I can be," adding: "I'm going to rape you."

He then demanded a kiss and sexually assaulted her before going on to rape her.

The victim was left with injuries including bruises, marks round the neck and reddened eyelids.

When interviewed by police, Hutchins said he did not remember the events of the night because he had drunk so much.

Hutchins pleaded guilty to three assaults and one count of rape between December 26 and December 29 last year.

Defence Mark Ruffell said that Hutchins felt "genuine remorse" following the attack and was "disgusted to think he could have behaved in this way".

Mr Ruffell added: "He doesn't seek to justify any of these things. He doesn't have a bad word to say about her."

Judge Samuel Wiggs also ordered Hutchins to be placed on the sex offenders register for life.