A man jailed for twice raping a woman could be free in just three years.

Michael Woolwine, of Salesian Gardens, Cowley, Oxford, carried out the attacks over a three-week period in April and May last year.

Last night, he was starting a seven-and-a-half year jail sentence for two rapes and two charges of assault on the same woman.

Because of the time he has been in custody, the 32-year-old could be released on parole in less than half the time.

Speaking at the sentencing at Reading Crown Court, Judge David Morton Jack said Woolwine had taunted his victim, spat at her and beat her.

She suffered injuries to her nose, face and scalp.

Reading a statement from the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, the judge said it was plain to see she had been "severely traumatised" by the attacks, which took place in Cowley.

Christoper Sutton-Maddox, defending, told the court Woolwine still maintained his innocence, despite being convicted by a jury on March 1 at Oxford Crown Court.

He added: "When asked if he feels any remorse, he is unable to answer that, because he does not feel he has done anything to feel remorseful about."

The court heard that in 1998, Woolwine was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to two years in jail.

In the same year, he was found guilty of battery and given a four-month prison term, to run concurrently. Both attacks were on women.

Sentencing Woolwine, Judge Morton Jack said: "You have been convicted of two very serious offences of rape.

"However, I take the view that the seriousness of these offences is not such as to justify the imposition of life imprisonment and in that event, a sentence of imprisonment for public protection becomes mandatory."

Woolwine was sentenced to six years for the first rape, with three months for the assault, carried out in April 2005, and seven-and-a-half years for the second rape on May 7 last year.

He was sentenced to a further 12 months for that assault, also committed on May 7. The sentences will run concurrently.

Dc Sarah Wood, of Oxford CID, said: "Michael Woolwine was a manipulative, violent and predatory man who subjected his victim to a horrific ordeal."