A LLANELLI rape victim has spoken of her happiness after her attacker was jailed for eight years.

The victim, a male awaiting a sex change operation, who can not be named for legal reasons, said she felt the sentence was adequate to the crime and she was glad her ordeal was over.

She said: "It's just nice to be all over. I'm glad the truth had been told and justice has been done."

Earlier this month, Kiran Singh Chand was convicted after he orally raped and beat up his victim in a lane in Llanelli.

It happened in the early hours of April 13 when he saw the complainant wearing leggings and high heels, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The 20-year-old, of Pottery Place, denied rape but was found guilty following a three-day trial.

He was sentenced to eight years at Swansea Crown Court, on Wednesday.

The victim said: "I'm really happy with the sentence. I didn't think he would get as long as he did, but I'm so pleased and can now move on with my life."

Following the attack, the victim, who was referred to as a female throughout the court hearing, out of respect for her wishes, has moved out of Llanelli.

She said hurtful verbal abuse, becoming the target of a humiliating poster campaign, as well as being identified illegally and vilified on the social network site Facebook had forced her out of town.

She said: "I went downhill after the attack. I felt like I had been forced out of my own town — away from my home, family and friends, since it happened, because of the abuse I suffered.

"I was victimised because of my sexuality. If I had been a normal girl, I would not have been treated like this.

"I had verbal attacks in the street, hurtful things written about me on Facebook and had humiliating posters put up around the town about me.

"My family and I have been through Hell because of it.

"I was the victim and I was being treated like the criminal."

Family and friends of the victim are also pleased with the sentencing. "Without them, I don't know what I would have done. They have been under so much stress, I can't thank them enough," she said.

Llanelli Detective Inspector Gary Phillips said he hoped the sentence imposed was of some comfort to the victim.

He said: "This was a serious assault both of a sexual and physical nature, and we feel that the sentence passed Wednesday reflects this."