A Turkish man was jailed for five years today for raping a young woman under a table at a Maidstone bar.

Judge Jeremy Carey told 28-year-old Ersin Bicimli he had behaved in a "despicable fashion".

Bicimli, of Pearse Place, Lamberhurst, had denied raping the woman at the Chicago Rock Cafe in December 2006. The court heard the victim had no recollection of Bicimli having sex with her. However, a work colleague told the jury she came out of the toilets at the bar to see the woman lying on her back with a man on top of her.

When she confronted the man - Bicimli - he pulled his trousers up and walked off. He later claimed they had consensual sex.

Passing sentence Judge Carey said the father-of-one had been convicted on clear evidence of taking advantage of a helpless young woman.

He said it did not matter whether she was helpless through her own intolerance to alcohol or because her drink was spiked.

"What does matter is that it was plain to him that she could not look after herself," added Judge Carey. "She was in a state where she simply did not know what was going on and this defendant, rather than realising that, took advantage of her to the full by raping her."

He continued that on the night of the rape Bicimli had convinced himself while "full of lust" that the woman was a willing participant because she did not protest.

"That was not due to any willingness on her part, but due to the fact she simply could not do so."

The court heard that Bicimli has no leave to remain in the UK and will be deported once he has served his sentence.