A burglar who fled to Hackney after raping a disabled pensioner in her Kent home has been jailed for life. Michael Hanmore broke into the elderly woman’s house on the Isle of Sheppey on May 7, 2022 and subjected her to a ‘prolonged attack’ in the middle of the night.
The now 46-year-old sexually assaulted his victim, stamped on her body and stole cash from her bedroom, before taking off in her car. She couldn’t call for help until six hours later as Hanmore had also made off with her phone and tablet.
Kent Police tracked the stolen vehicle to London using automatic number plate recognition technology and arrested Hanmore on Victoria Park Road the following day (May 8, 2022). Analysis of his mobile phone showed he had been in the same locations as the victim’s car, with forensic evidence from the scene also linked to him.
Hanmore, of Queenborough Road in Sheerness, pleaded guilty to charges of rape, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. He later retracted his plea and attempted to take the case to trial, severely delaying his sentencing hearing in the process.
Sadly, his elderly victim passed away never seeing her rapist put behind bars. Hanmore was today (May 20) handed a life sentence at Maidstone Crown Court and told he must serve at least 12 years in prison before being eligible for parole, minus the time he has already spent remanded in custody.
The predator will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Kath Way said: “There can be few things as terrifying as someone breaking into your home in the middle of the night before attacking you in your own bedroom. That is exactly what Michael Hanmore put his elderly and disabled victim through, without any thought for the severe trauma his actions would cause to her, her family and friends.
“I am very pleased he has been sentenced to life imprisonment, which is entirely appropriate for the dreadful crimes he committed and will ensure he no longer poses a threat to innocent members of the public. He is clearly a very dangerous man who belongs behind bars.”
“She [the victim] was tremendously brave and supported our investigation with great dignity throughout. Nobody deserves to be subjected to such appalling violence and I hope this outcome is of some comfort to her family.”
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