Hove rapist Daniel Hewett jailed for attacking pensioner
A man who broke into the home of a woman in her 80s and then raped her is beginning a 10-year jail term.
Daniel Hewett, 23, of no fixed address, admitted the rape in Hove at an earlier hearing at Lewes Crown Court.
He was sentenced to 10 years in jail on Thursday and told he would serve an extra five years on licence after his release.
Sussex Police said Hewett broke into the victim's home in May this year and subjected her to a terrifying attack.
Det Insp Jo Sidaway said the victim woke to find him standing next to her bed in the early hours of 25 May.
She said: "What followed was a sustained and terrifying sexual attack.
"Hewett subjected his victim to a degrading ordeal which, understandably, left her extremely distressed."
After the attack, Hewett spoke to the victim about his life before falling asleep in her bed, she added.
The woman managed to raise the alarm with a neighbour and police who were called immediately arrested Hewett, she said.
Det Insp Sidaway said the sentence would finally bring some closure for the victim who had been "extremely brave and dignified" throughout the past four months.