Burglar returned to victim's house to rape her after prison release
A burglar who was jailed for breaking into a woman's home returned to the property when he was released from prison in order to repeatedly rape her during a "terrifying ordeal", according to UK police.
Ashley Mills, of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Portsmouth Crown Court to 18 years' imprisonment with an extended licence period of eight years for charges of trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence, three counts of rape and one of attempted rape.
The victim, aged 59, has described how the 28-year-old first targeted her home in the Horndean area of Hampshire in 2009 when he burgled it after she allowed him to camp in her garden.
He was imprisoned in February 2010 for three-and-a-half years for this offence and for an arson attack on a church.
She told the Portsmouth News that Mills had broken into her home before he threatened her with a knife and said: "I've come to rape you."
Describing the ordeal, she told the local newspaper: "I thought Ashley Mills was going to kill me. I was convinced that as he had smashed in my front door to get me, he could completely cross the line and kill me, so he would not leave a witness who could ID him.
"I was terrified of being stabbed and how painful it would be. When now I see on the TV women who are raped and killed, I get upset, because I know the terror they went through."
Detective Sergeant Glenn Robinson, from Portsmouth CID, said: "Mills broke into his victim's house and put her through a terrifying ordeal which is reflected in the very long sentence handed down to him.
"We are grateful to the victim in this matter who has shown great courage in coming forward and providing the evidence that led to Mills's conviction. The victim was spared having to provide evidence in court as Mills pleaded guilty.
"Offences of this nature are extremely rare. We take all reports of sexual assault very seriously and have specially trained officers to support victims throughout the investigation and court process."
