The 26-year-old man, who The Courier cannot name for legal reasons, was described at the County Court at Ballarat on Thursday as a very possessive, jealous and dominating male while in the relationship.

Judge Michael McInerney said the man was a person of high intelligence, but had had  difficulty with drugs in his teenage and early adult years which led to his current unfortunate situation.

“As to why he treated (the victim) like this there is, on its face, no explanation. He has no relevant criminal priors for any of this type of activity,” Judge McInerney said.

“However the actions are clearly those of a very possessive, jealous, dominating male; the type of person and the behavior of whom the recent family violence royal commission and the government of this state is at pains to change by way of legislation and by the promotion, encouragement and facilitating of cultural change within this community. Unfortunately, such change is too late for (the man).”

Judge McInerney said he had no doubt the woman was a victim of domestic violence.

The man pleaded not guilty to nine charges at the County Court at Ballarat in November.

A jury found him guilty of two rape charges and one charge each of recklessly causing injury and recklessly conduct endangering serious injury.

It was alleged the man first assaulted the woman in January 2015 when he punched her in the face.

Three months later in March, the man forced the woman into sex with him after he was angered by text messages she received from an ex-partner. 

In June, the man allowed the woman to go out for a night with her friends but became violent when she returned home. 

He set fire to her clothes while she was wearing them before ripping her clothing off, forcing her to have sex with him and then would not allow her to leave the house.

The man maintained his innocence despite the jury finding him guilty, which Judge McInerney said he was totally entitled to do. But he did say there was no overt remorse that could be relied on.

The man, who had strong support in court, was heard sobbing when he was led from the dock.

He will be eligible for parole in five years.