'Dangerous' rapist jailed again for Norwich sex attack in which he stole woman's underwear

'DANGEROUS' RAPIST JAILED AGAIN FOR NORWICH SEX ATTACK IN WHICH HE STOLE WOMAN'S UNDERWEAR

A man convicted of rape has received a prison sentence following an assault on a woman near her home.

Paul Bamforth, aged 62 and residing in Jasmine Court, Attleborough, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison at Norwich Crown Court, according to Norfolk Police.

He previously served time for three counts of rape in 2008 after he forced a young woman into a Norwich car park and assaulted her.

Those offences led to an indeterminate imprisonment.

In the recent case, Bamforth admitted to sexually assaulting a woman in June while she was walking home along Wherry Road in Norwich.

Prosecutors revealed Bamforth approached the woman around 11.45pm on June 16, pushed her to the ground, sexually assaulted her, and stole her underwear.

The court heard a victim impact statement describing how Bamforth’s assault affected her: "Although physically I survived, mentally it has destroyed me.

I no longer recognise myself.

I feel numb and dead inside." Detective Chief Inspector Mark Joyce stated: “Bamforth is a dangerous sexual predator who has now been removed from our streets for a considerable length of time.

No sentence of any length will heal the mental wounds caused by Bamforth.

His victim will have to live with his actions for the rest of her life.

I do, however, hope that today will mark the next step in her healing process and provide her with some closure." Bamforth faces an additional eight years on licence, bringing his total extended sentence for penetration and robbery to 15 and a half years.