his ex-girlfriend twice.

He faced a maximum of 30 years in jail.

His lawyer, who said the victim sustained "only minor injuries'', argued for a one- to two-year sentence.

And the man -- who cannot be identified as it could lead to the identification of his victim -- apologised for "any mental or physical harm'' he caused the 27-year-old woman and asked for a suspended sentence.

He was convicted by a Supreme Court jury Wednesday of serious sexual assault.

The case saw the 27-year-old woman break down on the witness stand as she told the court her ex-boyfriend raped her twice.

Yesterday, a packed courtroom sat in silence while listening to the man apologise.

And the man also appealed to Chief Justice Austin Ward for leniency, requesting a suspended prison sentence.

But while Mr. Justice Ward said the woman exercised "poor judgment'' in allowing her ex-boyfriend to enter her apartment, he said the legislature had made it clear women had to be protected.

Defence lawyer Myron Simmons suggested that a prison sentence of one to two years would be appropriate, although "certain segments of the population would try to influence the court to hand down a higher sentence''.

Mr. Simmons noted that the woman sustained "only minor injuries'', consisting of bruises and a bite mark to her leg. He also pointed out his client, who has a six-year-old son, had no previous convictions.

But Mr. Justice Ward said a two-year prison sentence would not be adequate.

But he added the man's actions did not warrant the maximum penalty, which was 30 years in jail.