RAPE victim Susan George has spoken of her relief on hearing her attacker was sent to prison.

Last week a jury at Newport Crown Court found her ex-partner Michael Glyn Thomas, 44, from Dolau-ys-Coed, Fforest Coalpit, near Abergavenny, guilty of seven counts of rape involving three different women. He was also found guilty of an attempted rape, three counts of indecent assault, two of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two of false imprisonment, making threats to kill, and sexual assault - a string of incidents dating back to the 1980s. The jury found Thomas not guilty on two further counts of attempted rape. He was warned by Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones that he would receive a 'very significant custodial sentence' when he appears at Cardiff Crown Court next month.

Susan, who waived her right to anonymity to exclusively speak to the Chronicle last week, wants to encourage other rape victims to come forward.

"I don't feel sorry for him, he showed me no mercy, I think he is an animal," she said after the verdict. Susan has highly praised the police throughout her ordeal and says now she can begin to put her life back together.

"There has been a lot of trauma. I am very pleased with the police and the work they did and I am glad the jury found him guilty.

The attack happened in the early hours of December 28, 2007 when Thomas forced his way into her home when she tried to let her dog outside. He was brandishing a hammer and told her that he had come to kill her. He raped her twice.

Susan finally persuaded Thomas to drive her to a garage to buy cigarettes, there she told a garage assistant what was happening, he alerted the police and Thomas was later arrested.

"I lost a year of my life. I was alone, I couldn't tell anyone about it. I didn't want anyone to worry. I have suffered from post traumatic stress, I have been given high medication and I have also suffered from sleep deprivation.

"The worst part was when I had to see the hammer in court, it was the hammer he said he came to kill me with, I just broke down."

Susan is now determined not to let the attack ruin her life. She enrolled on a psychology and counselling course at Coleg Gwent and hopes that one day she will be able to help other victims.

"I hope by telling my story it will encourage other victims of rape to come forward because my story shows that the police system is better than it was years ago and that there are people who can help you."

Police have praised Susan and the other victims for the bravery shown throughout the court procedure. DC Alec Webley said, "This has been a very difficult case and I would like to pay tribute to the bravery of the victims in standing up in court and giving evidence to ensure this dangerous individual was brought to justice.

"The investigating team, of which I was part, worked tirelessly with dedication and professionalism to help secure a conviction and we are pleased with the verdict."