Man sentenced to life behind bars for rape and sexual assault in Truro

The court heard how he attacked one woman after breaking into her house

Author: Sarah YeomanPublished 23rd Dec 2021

A man has been jailed for life after he raped a woman in her own home in Truro.

A court heard how Matthew Addison attacked one woman after breaking into a house in the city this summer.

The 48-year-old from St Clements Close attacked the victim before stealing her bank card and PIN and withdrawing hundreds of pounds from her account.

She had woken to find the offender – a complete stranger - in her bedroom at an address in the city in the early hours of Sunday 18th July.

Addison admitted two counts of rape and two counts of fraud.

He also pleaded guilty to two separate charges of sexual assault after groping two women in Truro on the night of Saturday 17th July.

Addison did not attend the hearing but was today (23rd December) sentenced to life in prison by Truro Crown Court to serve a minimum of 10 years and 10 months. He was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

A judge repeatedly described Addison as a dangerous man.

Police issued CCTV images of Addison after he was caught on camera using the victim’s bank card at a cashpoint following the attack.

He was identified by members of the public following the appeal and arrested on Monday 19th July.

Detective Inspector Glenn Willcocks said: “An event of this nature is thankfully a very rare thing for Cornwall.

“Addison was intent on obtaining sexual gratification that evening. His appalling conduct is matched only by the strength of character and resolve of the victims to seek justice.

"Whilst the sentence is significant, it is not lost on me that the memory of Addison’s actions on that evening will have a life-long effect on the victims involved.”

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