Man jailed for raping Essex pensioner

16 September 2010, 14:06 | Updated: 16 September 2010, 15:01

An Essex man who raped a woman in her 70s in Harlow has been jailed for 8 years.

David Catton has today been sentenced to eight years for rape and eight years for a charge of assault by penetration (to run concurrently).

The driver, from Mayfield Park, Bishop’s Stortford admitted both offences when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court last month.

He's also been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register and made the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order after the attack on Tuesday May 11, 2010 off London Road, Harlow.

Investigating officer DS Ian Jennings of Harlow CID said: “This was a vicious and frightening attack on an elderly woman who was walking home alone after a shopping trip.
“A major investigation was launched and immediate police action led to the gathering of vital evidence. Then by using DNA technology we were able to trace and arrest the suspect very quickly.
“We accept today’s sentence and hope that it gives some comfort to the victim, who has been remarkably stoic and is recovering well from her appalling ordeal.”

District Crown Prosecutor for the CPS Olivia Gooding said: “We are pleased this case has reached a successful conclusion. This man preyed on this vulnerable elderly woman in daylight and threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
“Thankfully she reported this horrendous attack to the authorities and we would like to thank her for coming forward and assisting the prosecution. As a result, Catton will no longer pose a threat to other women and fortunately she hasn’t had to relive the events of that day through the course of a trial."