Man who held woman hostage for nine months is jailed

The court heard Kevin Hawkins was "clearly dangerous"

A homeless man who intruded into the south London home of a woman and abused her for nine months has been jailed for 28 years.

The 62-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met Kevin Hawkins outside a Co-op store in Croydon, in December 2022, as he begged for money.

The court heard Hawkins, then aged 25, showed up to the woman's house a couple of weeks later, let himself in, refused to leave and subjected her to a "campaign" of physical and financial abuse.

The 26 year old plead guilty to two counts of rape, one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm and one count of sexual assault in March.

'Significant facial injuries'

The court heard Hawkins raped the woman numerous times and on one occasion threw boiling water at her.

He would ask her for money on a daily basis and several times a day to pay his drug debts, the court was told.

He was arrested on 8 August 2023 after he took her to the bank demanding cash.

Prosecutor Sophie Shotton told the court: "She did not want to go as she had been the day before.

"He then began to physically attack her by hitting her, pulling her hair, and dragging her."

An employee notified the police after she noticed the woman, who was still in her slippers, had "significant facial injuries" and that Hawkins was waiting outside.

'Clearly dangerous'

The court heard Hawkins, who is diagnosed with schizophrenia, "deliberately and wilfully" took illicit drugs that would eventually worsen his condition, while also failing to take his prescribed medication.

Judge Claire Harden-Frost told him: "The victim of the offences committed by you is and was a vulnerable woman in her 60s, who had the misfortune to encounter you - and the heart to try and help you."

Assessing Hawkins as "clearly dangerous", Judge Harden-Frost sentenced him to an extended sentence of 28 years - with 21 years to be spent in prison, and seven on licence.

He was also made subject to a Sexual Crime Prevention Order for life.