A man raped a woman when he was attempting to collect a drug debt from the victim’s friend.

Nathan Byrne, 24, turned up at the victim’s home looking for her friend and demanded to be let in.

He became aggressive and picked up a hammer which had been inside the property.

The woman offered to take Byrne to the friend’s flat, with Byrne promising her he would let her go if she did.

Lancashire Telegraph: Nathan ByrneNathan Byrne (Image: Lancashire Police)

They went to the flat but there, Byrne raped his victim several times, while still in possession of the hammer throughout the attack.

Byrne was found guilty of six counts of rape and one of causing a person to engage in sexual activity by a jury at Preston Crown Court in March. He denied the offences.

Byrne, of Glebe Close, Preston, was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Judge Phillip Parry at Preston Crown Court on Friday, April 12.

Detective constable Rachel Scott, of Lancashire Police, said: “This was a prolonged and sustained attack against an extremely vulnerable woman during which Nathan Byrne subjected her to a horrific ordeal and justice has now caught up with him.

“His actions are nothing short of disgusting.

“The victim had to relive her ordeal when she gave evidence in court at the trial, and she showed great bravery in doing that.

“We encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual crime to come forward, we will investigate thoroughly and seek to bring to justice those who commit such offences.”