A man who beat a woman until she was paralysed and then raped her has been jailed for ten years.

Steven Ross, 38, from Hammersmith, fractured the victim’s neck but waited 30 hours before taking her to hospital.

He pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and was found guilty of rape and assault by penetration at Blackfriars Crown Court this week.

Selina Lynch, lawyer for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Having seriously injured her he showed no remorse whatsoever as he delayed seeking medical attention in order to ensure she would not tell police what had happened.”

In the early hours of December 20, 2008, Ross punched the victim, causing her to fall backwards and hit her head against a plug socket, the court was told.

Her neck was fractured, paralysing almost her entire body.

Although the victim could not move, Ross then continued the abuse and violence over the following 30 hours by raping and sexually assaulting her, the court was told.

On Sunday, December 21, he took the victim to hospital in a taxi instead of calling an ambulance.

Ms Lynch added: “The victim was in a critical condition upon arrival at the hospital and was quickly transferred for specialist care.

“She was found to have numerous rib fractures and a collapsed lung.

“She also had a fractured neck; this injury is likely to leave her in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.”

Police discovered the blood-stained scene of the crime a few days later.

On Monday, he was sentenced to 10 years' jail.