A rapist who subjected a woman to a knifepoint rape attack has been jailed for 10 years.

Adhanom Brehe, 34, was found guilty of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Judge Martin Joy, told Brehe he had been convicted on “overwhelming evidence”.

The court heard the Latvian woman, who cannot be identified, was alone watching TV at a friend’s bedsit on January 2 when the door opened and Brehe came in.

When the 22-year-old told him to leave, he produced a knife from his pocket and ordered her to strip.

The woman sobbed throughout her ordeal and told Brehe she was a virgin. She even offered him money and a computer.

But Brehe, formally of New Road and Scotts Terrace, Chatham, ignored her pleas and, holding the knife to her face, told her he would not hurt her if she did as he said.

The woman was eventually able to escape from the bedsit and phone police.
The court heard officers arrived and found Brehe still in the room, holding the knife and threatening to kill himself.

Police eventually managed to disarm him by using pepper spray.

Giving evidence through an interpreter, Brehe claimed the woman offered him sex and began undressing within minutes of meeting for the first time.

"(brehe's victim) will always have to live with the memory of the night of the attack" – ds richard spicer

He claimed they had a consensual “sexual encounter” despite being complete strangers.

Brehe denied during cross-examination that he subjected her to a knife-point attack, and claimed he only picked one up after their sex act when he heard voices in his head telling him to kill himself.

He was found guilty back in July and he was sentenced last week, , at the same court.

Brehe was given 10 years for the rape, seven for attempted rape and two years for the sexual assault, but the sentences will run concurrently.

DS Richard Spicer from Kent Police said: “A jury took just one hour and 38 minutes to find him guilty of an appalling attack on a young woman.

"I’m pleased the jury has found him guilty of this terrible crime.

"I hope this comes as some comfort to his victim, although she will always have to live with the memory of the night of the attack.

“He has been punished with a prison sentence and I am happy that justice has been done for the victim at last.”