The Longford man – who cannot be named in order to protect the identity of his victim – was jailed for three and a half years after being found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of aggravated sexual assault by a jury last week.

Justice Robert Pearce made an example of the man, stating there was a “particular need to deter these crimes against former partners”.

“(He) hoped his sexaul advances would result in consent,” Justice Pearce said.

“The defendant acted knowing the complainant had not consented… It was unmistakingly clear she did not consent.”

On March 19 last year – two weeks after the couple had separated – the man was at the woman’s house to discuss their relationship.

The conversation turned to sex, however, and the man thought it appropriate to show his ex-wife his penis in the hope that it would lead to sex.

Despite her saying no, he forced himself on her in the laundry, before the pair returned to their conversation over a drink.

Soon after telling her attacker he needed to leave, he forced himself on her again – this time picking her up and carrying her to an upstairs bedroom.

In court, the woman told the jury how she had said ‘no’ multiple times and even grabbed onto the door frame to prevent the attack.

The man also corroborated her account of events to police days after the incident and again while on the stand himself.

Despite this, he maintained his innocence until the end, claiming the sexual encounter was consensual.

In plea mitigation on Monday, prior to the man’s sentencing, his lawyer argued he had been mistaken during the incident but had been honest throughout the case.

Although the man has no prior convictions and the attack was not premeditated, Justice Pearce ruled the crimes to be “grave and inherently violent”.

He said the man’s actions had left his victim feeling “socially isolated and fearful”.

Justice Pearce called the man’s actions “humiliating, degrading and damaging”.

The man will be eligable for parole after serving half of his term.

He was also placed on the sex offenders register.