A woman managed to dial 999 as she was viciously raped, a court heard this week.

She had been punched, kicked and scratched during her hour-long ordeal.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that whenever she screamed her attacker put a hand over her mouth.

At one stage, the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, even pretended to faint so he would stop.

“Throughout he was saying how great it was and asking her if she was enjoying it,” said prosecutor Martin Yale. “She begged him to stop.”

The court heard that Steven Palmer, of St Luke’s Road, Maidstone, carried out a sustained attack. When arrested he told police he was drunk and admitted the offence.

Jailing him for three years and nine months Judge Philip Statman told Palmer, 25, he had a “classic alcoholic’s background” and advised that upon his release he be given “every assistance” by the licensing authorities.

“Having consumed a vast amount of alcohol you lost all self-control,” the judge added.

But Judge Statman said the father-of-two, who admitted rape, had shown genuine remorse.

The court heard Palmer “launched” himself at the woman.

“He pulled her hair, kicked her and scratched her,” said Mr Yale. “In an effort to fight him off she kicked and punched him back.

“She began to scream but he put his hand over her mouth and nose, making it difficult for her to breathe.”

The victim started to have a panic attack and Palmer stopped. But the attack continued within minutes.

“She pretended to pass out to get him to stop,” said Mr Yale. “She managed to run and dial 999 and screamed for help.

“Once she had called the police and thought help was on its way she put up less of a struggle for fear of the defendant becoming more violent.”

She was then pinned down and raped again before the police arrived.

Andrew Baughan, defending, said Palmer, who has previous convictions for violence, had suffered from both alcohol abuse and mental illness, including being treated in a psychiatric unit.

He will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life. He had served 54 days in custody on remand.