Sidcup rapist attacked 70-year-old with learning difficulties in Tooting graveyard

A rapist who attacked a 70-year-old woman in a south London graveyard has been jailed for nine years.

Anthony Hurley, 55,  of Leechcroft Avenue, Sidcup, chose his victim knowing she had learning difficulties.

He persuaded her to leave the safety of her care home and go with him by offering to buy her a milkshake.

When alone and secluded in a graveyard, he attacked her and raped her twice inside St Nicholas Church’s graveyard in Tooting just after 7pm on 10 August last year.

The victim reported the matter to those who cared for her and Hurley was arrested a week later.

Today (Tuesday, 15 February 2022) at Kingston Crown Court, Hurley was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and placed on the sex offenders register for life. He had been convicted of two counts of rape and sexual assault following a trial at the same court, which concluded in January. 

Sarah Connolly, from the CPS, said: “Anthony Hurley took advantage of a vulnerable woman and raped her in a church graveyard. He hoped to get away with these serious offences because of her vulnerabilities.

“His victim did not consent to the sexual activity The prosecution built a strong case which included clear witness testimony from the vulnerable victim who bravely gave evidence against her attacker.

“Sexual offences are some of the most serious and complex cases we prosecute. We are committed to bringing sexual offenders to justice.”