Canberra man jailed for raping ex-wife 'didn't believe he had done anything wrong'

A 37-year-old man in Canberra has been sentenced to eight years in jail for raping his ex-wife after earlier claiming he did not believe he had done anything wrong.

The Samoan man pleaded guilty to the crime, but told a pre-sentence report author his actions were acceptable.

He was charged with one count of burglary and two counts of rape.

Justice John Burns told the court the crime had nothing to do with sexual gratification, that he had broken into the woman's home and raped her to demonstrate he still had power over her.

The man sat holding a bible as he was sentenced.

A Samoan interpreter was present to relay the sentence to him.

Justice Burns said the man showed no remorse and remained an ongoing threat to the victim.

"You told the pre-sentence report author you did not think you had done anything wrong," he said.

"You voiced your disregard for the law and court orders and said that you only recognised God's law."

Justice Burns also agreed the man had a high risk for reoffending.

"I agree with that based on a lack of true remorse and failure to take responsibility for your actions," he said.

"I have no doubt these offences were not borne out of grief for the end of the relationship but of anger that she was defying you.

"By committing these offences you were demonstrating your power over her with a view to instilling fear in her.

"This was not about sexual gratification but about power and control, as part of that process I have no doubt you sought to humiliate the victim."

The man will not be eligible for parole until 2019.