A man who raped his wife in their Dublin home and beat her with a hammer is due to be sentenced this morning.

The man, who can’t be named to protect the identity of his estranged wife, was also convicted of threatening to kill her after she got a barring order.

From the witness box last week, the man’s wife delivered a powerful victim impact statement to the court and the man who she said has stolen her comfort and her ability to trust in her own judgement and left her living in terror and afraid of what will happen when he’s eventually released.

She said the memories of the night he raped her – May 25th 2014 – will stay with her forever.

The three-week trial heard how their marriage began to fall apart following the birth of their son. She said he refused to accept it was over when she told him she wanted a separation.

Last month, he was also found guilty of making several threats against her, including one while holding a knife, and of beating her and her mother with a hammer.

The 42-year-old be sentenced this morning.