Prosecutor Suzanne Thomas told the jury that the defendant, who runs a Pontypool-based firm called MSM Partitioning Limited, had sexually and physically attacked his victim.

He was convicted of one count of rape and three of assault by beating. The 46-year-old was acquitted of two other rape charges.

The complainant told detectives in a video interview recorded last year how she was raped by Methuen and how she had felt “used”.

She said he had also physically attacked her after he headbutted her and grabbed her by the throat and chest.

The video of her police interview was played to the jury of five men and seven women.

Methuen was defended by barrister Andrew Taylor who said his client was running a thriving business with a “fantastic reputation”.

The defendant had denied all six charges during his trial which lasted a week and was remanded in custody after his conviction last month.

Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke told Methuen, who has two previous convictions for violence, that his offending was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence could be justified.

Judge Lloyd-Clarke said the defendant will serve half of that term before being released on licence.

Methuen must register as a sex offender indefinitely and pay a victim surcharge upon release.