Rapist has unduly lenient jail term increased

Alfie Rowbotham attacked the woman in an alleyway

A rapist who forced himself on a woman who was walking home from a night out has had his jail sentence increased after it was deemed unduly lenient.

Alfie Rowbotham was walking his dog in King's Lynn, Norfolk, in the early hours of 19 September last year when he pulled the woman into an alleyway and raped her.

The 27-year-old, of Walpole Road, King's Lynn, was convicted by a jury at the town's crown court in March and in June sentenced to five-and-a-half years in prison.

The Crown Prosecution Service appealed his sentence for being unduly lenient and the term was increased by three years at a hearing on Tuesday.

Norfolk Police said the woman fled the scene to a nearby taxi office, where staff called the police.

Officers immediately identified Rowbotham through CCTV. He was arrested the same day, charged and remanded in custody.

Det Con Christine Copeman, the case's investigating officer, commended the woman for her bravery in coming forward and supporting the prosecution.

"I hope that this increased sentence provides her with some level of comfort, knowing he will be behind bars for the foreseeable future," she added.