A Canberra man who assaulted and raped his wife while one of their children slept nearby has been sentenced to four years in jail by an ACT court.
The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was found guilty by an ACT Supreme Court jury of rape, assault and an act of indecency after an incident in January 2015.
The man attacked his wife and raped her while their three-year-old son slept in the same room.
An initial confrontation between the pair was also witnessed by their nine-year-old son.
During the confrontation the man threatened that the woman's family would be hurt if she told anyone or went to the police.
Court documents stated that the man sent the victim a text message the morning after apologising.
"I am feeling very bad and sad so so sorry," the text read.
In his judgement, Acting Justice David Robinson said the man had not taken responsibility for his actions, and had shown little remorse
But Justice Robinson believed "on the whole that the offender had favourable prospects of rehabilitation".
"The offender has an insight into the consequences of his behaviour and also has the prospect of being reunited with his children," he said in his judgment.
Acting Justice Robinson sentenced him to four years in jail, but he will be eligible for parole in May 2018.