A rapist who attacked a woman whilst she slept in her home is waiting to find out if he has contracted HIV from her.

Richard Thomas collapsed when he was told his victim was HIV positive, and is now awaiting test results to establish if he has contracted the virus, according to the BBC.

Thomas is currently serving a 64 month sentence after pleading guilty to raping the woman, who he was known to.

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Thomas had entered her property at night in Leigh, Greater Manchester while she slept and the woman, who had taken a sleeping tablet before going to bed, awoke to find him assaulting her, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

“She froze and no words were exchanged. He pulled up his shorts and left,” said Harry Pepper, prosecuting.

“He was arrested and interviewed and said he had been drinking heavily, taken cocaine and ecstasy and could not recall the incident,” he added.

Thomas, 27, of Leigh had known the woman was ill, but was unaware of her condition.

Virginia Hayton, his barrister said: "It is his own fault, if he had not committed this offence he would not have placed himself in this position."