BEXHILL WINDOW CLEANER JAILED FOR RAPE IN HASTINGS
A window cleaner has been jailed for raping a woman just hours after meeting her.Frederick Thomas Lake attacked the 34-year-old while she was sleeping at a flat in Hastings.
Police described him as a "predatory offender" who met his victim during a night out with friends three years ago.
After meeting in town, the group returned to a property where the woman went to sleep in a bedroom.
Lake then followed and assaulted her, with the victim being unable to consent.
She reported the incident to police, leading to Lake's arrest.
The attack occurred on October 20, 2018.
He was charged with rape and went to trial earlier this year, where his victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence.
Lake, of Withyham Road, Cooden, Bexhill, was convicted in August.
Last week, he appeared at Lewes Crown Court and was sentenced to seven years in jail.
During the hearing on October 29, he was also placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period and was given a lifelong restraining order banning contact with his victim.
Detective Constable Liz Brunt stated that Lake was a "clearly a predatory offender, taking the opportunity to assault his victim when she was asleep and thus at her most vulnerable." She explained that the woman did not consent and reported the offence immediately, resulting in Lake's arrest and conviction.
The police highlighted the importance of reporting sexual offences and provided resources on their website for victims.
