A FORK lift operator has been jailed for four years for raping a sleeping woman.

Gordon Barclay, 24, of Dykehead Road, Airdrie, was convicted of raping the 22-year-old student at a house in the North Lanarkshire town on May 20, last year.

At the High Court in Glasgow on Friday, Judge Sean Murphy QC told Barclay: "You took advantage of the complainer in her own home. You had been drinking heavily that may to some extent explain your actions.

"You have an impressive work record and have previously been of good character, but this must attract a custodial sentence."

The victim told the court that while she was asleep Barclay removed her lower clothing and then raped her.

Defence counsel Rhonda Anderson said: "Mr Barclay maintains his innocence."