THE FIANCEE of a former Great Harwood man convicted of rape has said she will stand by him and still wants to marry him as soon as she can.

Former soldier Andrew Lee Courtney, 32, has been jailed for a total of five years and three months for beating up and raping a young mum.

He was sentenced at Burnley Crown Court last Friday where the court heard that he also attacked his former partner, dragged his victim from a house and gave her a kicking.

Judge David Pirie said he had subjected the woman to a "wholly humiliating" ordeal.

But his fiancee Pauline Bowler, 39, says he is a loving kind and considerate man who has never been aggressive.

Miss Bowler, who has been in a relationship with Mr Courtney for seven months and got engaged to him in March, says he told her about the charges against him from the beginning of their relationship and that although the verdict shocked her she will wait for him to return to their Essex home.

She said: "He has been made out to be a beast but I believe he is not guilty.

"Andy is a fantastic bloke who doesn't deserve this but they have found him guilty and we are waiting now before we can carry on with our lives.

"He did hit her and that was wrong of him but I believe he is not guilty of the other accusations.

"When I heard the verdict I was struck numb.

"We just couldn't believe it but my family are all behind him and telling him to keep his spirits up but it is not easy for any of us.

"I would have liked us to have had a big church wedding with all of my family, who are also standing by him, but I will happily marry him in prison and have a blessing and reception later. He has always been loving and there for us all and we will be there for him now."

Miss Bowler, who is currently unemployed, met Mr Courtney last November as he is a friend of her brother and she got on with him immediately.

She said: "He was polite, a real laugh, and he cheered me up with his jokes.

"He is also very loving, romantic and affectionate -- he has even managed to arrange to have flowers sent to me while he is in prison.

"Before he was sent to prison Andy regularly sent me flowers, chocolates, teddy bears and other trinkets. And he is wonderful with my children. Our love is unconditional and I really miss him -- I feel like part of me is missing now."

Miss Bowler's mother, Marlene Appleton, 58, is also standing by her future son-in-law and says she is looking forward to welcoming him to their family.

She said: "When I first met him I thought he was a bit rough and ready but once I got to know him I realised just how lovely he is.

"He even helps my husband who suffers from osteo-arthritis with the gardening and nothing is too much bother for him.

"I have never seen my daughter happier and he has brought the whole family closer so I do hope they get married soon."

Mr Courtney, a father of two, formerly of Beaconsfield Street in Great Harwood was recently convicted by a jury of assault causing actual bodily harm and rape and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely. He had earlier admitted assault causing actual bodily harm in an unrelated incident.

The court had earlier been told how the rape victim, from the Accrington area, was crying as Courtney twice had sex with her.

Michael Blakey, defending, said the rape and assault offences were unforgivable and there was no justification for Courtney's behaviour whatsoever.

He was not a man with a long history of violence, he said.

The offences were not planned, Courtney did not use a weapon in the attack and he had no previous convictions for sexual deviation.

Miss Bowler says she is currently discussing the possibility of appealing against the conviction on the grounds that Mr Courtney is innocent.