A man who claimed he had "sexsomnia" has been jailed for five years for having non-consensual sex with his wife while she slept.

The 42-year-old man was convicted of sexual violation by rape and unlawful sexual connection and two representative charges of indecent assault in the Auckland District Court today.

The public gallery was packed with the man's supporters and a large card was being passed around for people to sign and write messages for him.

The man has name suppression.

Judge Gibson said a marriage was not a licence to engage in non-consensual sexual activity and the victim was vulnerable as she was asleep at the time.