A MAN convicted of raping a woman while posing as a taxi driver has been told that he faces a possible life sentence.

Preston Crown Court heard that Asif Ali committed the offence eight days after his release from prison after serving a five-year sentence for an earlier rape. The jury heard that Ali drove to a rural spot where he carried out the sex attack, despite the woman's pleas for him not to do so.

Following his arrest, the defendant told police it had not been rape and that the woman had made all the advances to him and he had gone along with it.

Ali, 24, of Lee Street, Burnley, denied the rape charge, repeating that the woman was in total control of what happened.

He also claimed the woman was upset and had asked him for a lift. The jury was told he drove off after asking the woman's partner to go and get change at a nearby petrol station.

Ali was remanded in custody by Judge Philip Sycamore to await sentence when reports have been considered.