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OAP's rapist jailed indefinitely OAP's rapist jailed indefinitely
(about 5 hours later)
A rapist who described his attack on an elderly woman "monstrous" has been given an indefinite prison sentence. A rapist who described his attack on an elderly woman as "monstrous" has been given an indefinite prison sentence.
Keith Sharpe, 34, of no fixed address, but who has lived in both Newcastle and Sunderland, attacked the 74-year-old mother of a friend in her Wrexham home.Keith Sharpe, 34, of no fixed address, but who has lived in both Newcastle and Sunderland, attacked the 74-year-old mother of a friend in her Wrexham home.
After the case North Wales Police said the victim's life had been ruined.After the case North Wales Police said the victim's life had been ruined.
Sharpe, who admitted rape and two serious sexual assaults, was told at Mold Crown Court he would serve many years in jail.Sharpe, who admitted rape and two serious sexual assaults, was told at Mold Crown Court he would serve many years in jail.
He had previously lived in the Wrexham area for 12 years, where he worked as a porter and chef, the court heard.He had previously lived in the Wrexham area for 12 years, where he worked as a porter and chef, the court heard.
The victim, described in court as frail and suffering a number of health problems, suffered physical injuries in the attack and feared Sharpe was going to kill her.The victim, described in court as frail and suffering a number of health problems, suffered physical injuries in the attack and feared Sharpe was going to kill her.
Judge John Rodgers told Sharpe that he constituted "a significant risk of causing serious harm".Judge John Rodgers told Sharpe that he constituted "a significant risk of causing serious harm".
The judge said it had been "a prolonged sexual assault upon a vulnerable, frail lady of 74".The judge said it had been "a prolonged sexual assault upon a vulnerable, frail lady of 74".
The court was told that Sharpe was known to the victim, and she let him into her house before her one-and-a-half-hour ordeal.The court was told that Sharpe was known to the victim, and she let him into her house before her one-and-a-half-hour ordeal.
A cruel and deplorable attack Det Insp Jeremy VaughanA cruel and deplorable attack Det Insp Jeremy Vaughan
Kim Halsall, prosecuting, said Sharpe feared she was going to die as he lay on top of her and held her face tightly, and he said a number of times that he was going to kill her.Kim Halsall, prosecuting, said Sharpe feared she was going to die as he lay on top of her and held her face tightly, and he said a number of times that he was going to kill her.
The court heard that he raped the pensioner who was in agony and had difficulty breathing because of she suffered ill health including heart failure and severe respiratory problems. The court heard that he raped the pensioner, who was in agony and had difficulty breathing because she suffered ill health, including heart failure and severe respiratory problems.
He threw her to the floor, punched her and threatened to kill her and also took money from her before leaving her home. He threw her to the floor, punched and threatened to kill her, and also took money before leaving her home.
When she asked him why he had done it, and that she was old enough to be his mother, he was derogatory about his own mother, told how he had been brought up in homes and then apologised, the court heard.When she asked him why he had done it, and that she was old enough to be his mother, he was derogatory about his own mother, told how he had been brought up in homes and then apologised, the court heard.
'Degrading and horrendous''Degrading and horrendous'
Sharpe received an indefinite prison sentence and was told that if he had been convicted after trial, then he would have received a 15-year sentence.Sharpe received an indefinite prison sentence and was told that if he had been convicted after trial, then he would have received a 15-year sentence.
He was given a full one-third discount for his guilty plea, which makes 10 years, and was told that the legislation meant that he could apply for parole after five years.He was given a full one-third discount for his guilty plea, which makes 10 years, and was told that the legislation meant that he could apply for parole after five years.
But he was warned that he could expect to "spend very many more years than that" in custody and that he would not be released until he was considered safe.But he was warned that he could expect to "spend very many more years than that" in custody and that he would not be released until he was considered safe.
Sharpe claimed that the 10 pints of lager he had drunk and the fact that he had not taken his medication for depression meant that he could not remember even being at the woman's house.Sharpe claimed that the 10 pints of lager he had drunk and the fact that he had not taken his medication for depression meant that he could not remember even being at the woman's house.
His barrister John Hedgecoe said Sharpe had described his own actions as "monstrous, degrading, disrespectful and horrendous" and wished through him to apologise to his victim.His barrister John Hedgecoe said Sharpe had described his own actions as "monstrous, degrading, disrespectful and horrendous" and wished through him to apologise to his victim.
Sharpe was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life.Sharpe was also ordered to register with the police as a sex offender for life.
After the hearing, Det Insp Jeremy Vaughan said it was "a cruel and deplorable attack" which had ruined the victim's life.After the hearing, Det Insp Jeremy Vaughan said it was "a cruel and deplorable attack" which had ruined the victim's life.
But her "resilience and true grit" throughout the investigation had played a significant part in his guilty plea and sentence.But her "resilience and true grit" throughout the investigation had played a significant part in his guilty plea and sentence.
"This 74-year-old lady has described how this incident has ruined her life," said Det Insp Vaughan."This 74-year-old lady has described how this incident has ruined her life," said Det Insp Vaughan.