A MOTHER who was raped by a 'monster' she met on the internet has urged other people to be brave and come forward if they have been sexually assaulted.

The woman, who will not be named to protect her identity, lives in the Taunton area and was raped in April last year - a night which she said will take a long time to recover from.

Moroccan Omar Chot, 34, of Selworthy Road, Taunton was found guilty of rape and jailed for four years after a five-day trial at Taunton Crown Court last week.

He was also made to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

The woman contacted the County Gazette and said: “We had consensual sex but he wanted more. When I said no it was like a flick of a switch and he turned into a monster.

“I sat there and wanted to get out of his house safely so I pretended that I needed a cigarette and then I left and never went back.

“Up to that he was nice and seemed like a lovely chap, he sent me nice text messages and treated me like a princess.

“All the time I kept saying was no but he was just going to do whatever he wanted. No does means no and the police are there to make sure you get justice.”

The pair met on an internet dating website before meeting up for a drink in Taunton and then a second date at Chot's home.

The woman said she was so afraid after the incident that she did not leave the house alone for nine months.

She said: “I could not go into town or walk my dog on my own for fear of seeing him.

“It has been a distressing time and the support I received from the police was amazing, all the way through they have been unbelievable.

“Do not be afraid to come forward and tell someone if you think you have been sexually assaulted.

“It was the best decision I have made and I have no regrets - the support I received from the police was unbelievable and without that I may not have gone through with it.”

A website aimed at educating people about rape and sexual assault is a proving a success across Avon and Somerset.

Launched just before Christmas, www.rapeaware.co.uk also encourages people to report what happens to them.

So far, over 4,000 people have visited the site, which takes the user through the crime, providing comprehensive information about the types of rape and sexual assault which can be committed, who to contact if you become a victim, and the process from then on, along with the help and care they will receive.