North Kent man jailed for serious sexual assault of woman as she slept
The attack occurred following a night out in Gravesend in August 2021
A man has been jailed for subjecting a woman to a serious sexual assault in North Kent whilst she slept.
Rhys Cheal attacked his victim after they met on a night out in Gravesend on 21 August 2021.
She had originally planned to stay at a friend's house, but Cheal escorted her to a taxi and told her friends not to join as she was feeling ill.
Cheal instead took his victim to an address in Longfield, and she woke to find him raping her.
After calling a friend to collect her the following morning, she later reported the incident to Kent Police.
Cheal also admitted to the attack over the phone.
The 26-year-old of Weird Wood, Longfield, was charged with rape, and found guilty on 21 June following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
Cheal was sentenced to four years and six months imprisonment, and also placed on the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.
Detective Constable Stephanie Wilson, of the North Division Rape Investigation Team said:
"This man has committed an appalling crime by taking advantage of a vulnerable young woman.
"Pretending to be concerned for her welfare, he prevented her friends from accompanying her and then took her to an address where he raped her.
"He is now starting a prison sentence and I would like to commend the victim who bravely reported the crime and then supported our investigation until Cheal was brought to justice.
"I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to contact us as soon as possible.
"We have trained officers who will take steps to keep you safe and then act to make sure offenders cannot go on to harm others."