A MAN who raped a 20-year-old stranger as she lay drunk in a shop doorway on Christmas Eve has been jailed for eight years.

Andrew John Maylor (seen right), 38, of Fron Heulog Cottages, Dolgellau, was found guilty by a jury after a three-day trial in Caernarfon Crown Court last week.

Judge Huw Rees told Maylor: “She was alone, vulnerable and unable to care for herself and you took advantage of her. You raped her in a shop doorway and demeaned her and yourself.”

Simon Rogers, prosecuting, described how the alarm had been raised by a van driver as he drove in the town centre of Caernarfon at 12.45am.

The barrister said it was the prosecution case that Maylor had sexual intercourse with the woman in circumstances “in which it would be obvious to him that she was in no fit state to consent”. DNA samples linked Maylor to the attack.

The jury saw a recording of the woman’s interview with police. Asked why she couldn’t remember anything, she said: “I was drunk.”

In video evidence at Caernarfon Crown Court the woman described how she and friends visited pubs and nightspots in the town. She had drunk at least seven vodkas and other drinks.

Answering Jonathon Austin, defence counsel, she said she could not remember saying to an officer: “No-one has done anything to me.”

Giving evidence, Maylor agreed he had spoken to her and claimed he had tried to help her, but at one point they lost their balance and fell to the ground.

He had lifted her up and that was how DNA was linked, he maintained.­

Investigating officer DC Thomas Barrett of the Amethyst Team North Wales Police said following the case: “I would like to acknowledge the bravery shown by the victim in this case in coming forward and giving evidence.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the witnesses who had the courage to come and give their account to the court.

“I hope that this sentence reassures the public that North Wales Police will relentlessly pursue those who cause the greatest harm to our community.”

North Wales Police provide specialist services to support victims and encourage anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to come forward.

Reporting a sexual offence is about empowering victims and ensuring they have access to specialist support they may require.

If a victim does not feel ready to report to the police then services can be accessed through the confidential Amethyst SARC Helpline on 0808 156 3658.