More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A man tied up and sexually assaulted a woman in her home before fleeing with valuables.
Billy Williams, 28, has today been convicted of sexual assault, keeping the woman prisoner and aggravated burglary after the terrifying raid on Easter Sunday.
He also tried to escape court in a dramatic episode during his trial.
His 67-year-old victim lay undiscovered for two days before a police officer – responding to a call from her concerned husband who was away – discovered her bound, gagged and tethered to an upturned chair amidst scattered belongings in her rural home near Maidstone.
Williams, of Smarden Road, Ashford, admitted being in the area but denied being responsible for the offences, blaming a relative whose trace DNA was found on a pair of motorcycle gloves used in the burglary.
The victim's two-hour ordeal began on April 4 after she saw the back of a man in her garden, despite the fact the gate had been locked.
He told her he'd been on a bike ride and needed some water but when she turned to get some he grabbed her and pushed a chisel to her neck.
He demanded to know where the money and valuables were and the victim was then put through an ordeal lasting two hours.
Williams said to her "Do you want me to kill you? Do you want me to rape you?", put a knife to her cheek, sexually assaulted her and dropped a heavy chest of drawers on her.
After rifling through every room, he tied her to a chair before pouring two bottles of spirits over her head - she feared he was going to set her alight, said the prosecutor.
He stole small items of jewellery, a laptop, camera and phone before fleeing, after putting a fleece and a cat mat over his victim.
She was found three days later in considerable pain and taken to hospital.
Williams was arrested after police traced his phone to nearby masts.
"Do you want me to kill you? Do you want me to rape you..?"
He had refused to leave his cell mid-way through his trial and proceedings continued without him.
Prosecutor Nina Ellin previously read through a list of William's pre-convictions dating back several years and ranging in severity from criminal damage when he was a teenager to three armed robberies. twice of the same post office at St Mary's Bay.
Defending Christopher Surtees-Jones said in all except one of his previous convictions – an assault committed when he was 14 – Williams had pleaded guilty. He also said the victim had not picked Williams out from an ID parade.
After four hours of deliberation a jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts at Maidstone Crown Court.
He was also convicted of a second burglary which took place at an Airbnb earlier the same day less than a mile away from the victim's home.
The court also heard Williams tried to escape the court on Monday, leaping over the dock and running down the stairs before eventually being caught by the pursuing investigating officer. This will be dealt with later.
Judge Charles Gratwicke adjourned sentencing of Williams to a later date.
DCI Neil Kimber, said: "Williams preyed upon a vulnerable woman who was living on her own and subjected her to the most horrific and terrifying ordeal.
"He bound her so tightly to the chair that had she remained undiscovered for much longer she may not have even survived.
"His gratuitous, barbaric and callous actions have caused physical and no doubt extensive psychological scars to the victim. He has a history of violent offending and is clearly a very dangerous individual and someone who the public need protecting from.
"I do hope the victim can now at least take some reassurance and comfort from the fact Williams has now been found guilty and will no doubt receive a significant prison sentence."
