Rape survivor bravely faces attacker in court

A young woman has told her rapist he's "every woman's worst nightmare" during an emotional hearing.

Michael Benfell broke into the woman's home and raped her twice at Parkside, in Adelaide's inner south, in April 2018.

Her boyfriend had just left the house when Benfell attacked her in a dark bedroom while she slept.

The woman initially thought the 26-year-old – a complete stranger – was her partner, before raising the alarm.

She recalled in court how the horrific crime had made her lose trust in everything and everyone, urging the judge to impose a sentence that protects other women.

"This is a very important thing – to encourage more victims to come forward, that they're believed, and to pursue their attackers," South Australian Victims' Rights Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier said.

A jury took little over an hour to convict Benfell, who repeatedly labelled his victim a liar.

The woman telling the predator she would not let him take away her freedom, and is willing to forgive.

"I don't hate you. I pity you," she said.

Benfell today sacked his lawyer without warning. It's unclear when he'll be sentenced.