A FORMER Worcestershire cricketer who was jailed for rape will appeal his prison sentence.

Alex Hepburn is appealing the five-year sentence he was handed in April 2019 after being convicted of one count of oral rape following a second trial.

His appeal will take place in London on June 4.

While on trial, jurors heard how the victim was left with post traumatic stress disorder and facial paralysis. She'd had consensual sex with Hepburn’s former teammate, Joe Clarke, prior to the rape occurring in 2017.

Hepburn was accused of raping her while she was dozing in the flat he shared with Clarke in Portland Street, Worcester. The Australian denied the allegations and said he believed the sex was consensual, but the jury found him guilty.

The court also saw messages on a Whatsapp group in which Hepburn discussed women with his Worcestershire teammates in a “sexual conquest competition”.

While sentencing Hepburn at Hereford Crown Court, Judge James Tindal said: “You thought you were God’s gift to women. You saw the victim as a piece of meat, not another human entitled to respect.”

Following Hepburn’s arrest he was sacked by Worcestershire, who have since taken major steps to reform the culture of the club.

ESPNCricinfo is reporting the Professional Cricketer’s Association, whose chairman is Hepburn’s former county captain Daryl Mitchell, has not assisted the 24 year-old in this stage of the proceedings and was not aware his request for an appeal had been granted.

As a result of the rape case, the PCA, with funding from the England and Wales Cricket Boars, has established sexual consent training workshops which every England player, male or female, as well as all county cricketers are obliged to take part in.

Worcestershire promised to reform its culture in the wake of Hepburn’s sentencing, with a new system of core values known as the One Club system, which include 'community, integrity, humility, teamwork and commitment'.

At the time of Hepburn’s sentencing, county chairman Fanos Hira said: “We are appalled by the details that have been reported in this case.

“The Board and CEO were first made aware of the arrest and subsequent charge of Mr Hepburn on November 10, 2017 and the club then took immediate and decisive action.

“Our OneClub values outline clear expectations of attitudes and behaviours for all staff at the club and everyone involved in Worcestershire cricket.

“We continue to work alongside both the ECB and PCA focussing on education, welfare and development programmes for all staff within the game.”