Chatham man, 20, jailed for 10 years for raping pensioner

A CHATHAM man who raped a pensioner in her home has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Joe Street, formerly of Jenkins Dale, was found guilty of raping a 78-year-old woman at her Gravesend home in June last year.

Street, who will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, was handed the jail term at Maidstone Crown Court today.

The court heard how 20-year-old Street raped the elderly woman after he knocked at her door and she let him in.

He made inappropriate suggestions to the woman, then held her down and raped her.

A jury took just 10 minutes to unanimously find Street guilty during the trial on November 22 last year.

Street will serve a minimum of five years in custody, with six years' extended licence.

At the time of sentencing, Judge Jeremy Carey, said: "This was a grave offence in which you frightened and terrified your victim, which could be heard in the 999 call.

"When asked by police about this you described the allegations as disgusting. That was the one shed of reality to come from you during this disturbing and highly traumatising case, this was disgusting."

Street was also sentenced to 12 months in jail for burglary and six months in total for two attacks on police officers.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Zoe Traynor, said: "This was a case whereby Street used his strength for his own satisfaction.

"It was an horrific sexual crime and the speed of which the jury came to its decision only serves to highlight the evidence presented to them in this case.

"The victim is likely to never get over this but is a strong-willed and immensely brave woman who, with the support of her family, is moving on with her life.

"With support of Kent Police and the local council, we have been able to help with moving the victim to a new home as she felt unable to return to the property where the assault took place."