A 34-year-old man will be sentenced today after he was convicted of raping his wife.

The man, from Heaton, Bradford, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, was convicted by a jury at Bradford Crown Court, by a majority of 11-1, of raping his 29-year-old wife, on August 27, 2012. The verdict followed a seven-day trial.

Prosecutor Rupert Doswell told the jury the couple’s relationship had been good, but changed over time, culminating in events that took place at the end of August.

Mr Doswell said that the defendant had gone out and returned in the early hours of the morning. His wife ran to open the door but her husband shoved it with such force she was pushed back to the stairs.

“He was verbally aggressive, asking why she had taken so long to open the door.”

The defendant continued to verbally abuse her, saying he was her husband and asking why she did not serve him. He then threw items from a table on to the floor and hurled a mirror at her, which hit her on the hand.

The woman then lay on the bed and the defendant put his hand on her body.

Mr Doswell said: “She asked him not to. He ignored her response, took hold of her hand and started to take off her night shirt.

“He told her she could use whatever strength she had to save her. She was unable to break from his grip. She was trying to wriggle away. He continued and she realised there was no point struggling further.”

He then had sex with her.

The woman later told her doctor about the rape and the safeguarding unit was informed. The defendant was arrested on suspicion of rape, but maintained the sex was consensual.

The jury could not agree on a second charge of rape and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded. The jury also found the defendant not guilty of making a threat to kill his wife.

Judge Jonathan Rose will sentence the man today.