Vile rapist jailed for attacking woman as she slept

A man who raped a woman while she slept in bed has been jailed following an extensive investigation.

After Jacob Kelly's victim bravely reported the crime to police, an investigation was launched with forensic work helping to secure a conviction against the 32-year-old, who denied his vile crime throughout.

Despite his pleading of innocence, Kelly, of Cliffield Road, Swinton, was found guilty of rape by a jury following a trial at Sheffield Crown Court last month.

He was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison at a sentencing hearing at the same court last Thursday (5 November).

Detective Sergeant Rob Zarchi, who was the officer in charge of this case, said: "The victim showed immeasurable courage to tell us what Kelly did to her, and she has continued to show unwavering resilience in the past six years since that initial report.

"Without her bravery, Kelly would still be walking free.

“It's down to her strength and tenacity that a conviction was secured alongside a jail sentence.

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"Her evidence and testimony allowed us to conduct a full and thorough investigation and ensured a dangerous offender has now been brought to justice.

"I hope this outcome provides the victim with some measure of closure and helps her move forward knowing that the man who committed this offence is now behind bars."

If you are a victim of sexual abuse or assault, it is never your fault.

For more information on rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences, and how to report these crimes to police or other support agencies, please visit the dedicated section on our website.

* Please remember that victims of sexual offences are granted automatic lifetime anonymity. It is a criminal offence to name them or share any information which may lead to them being identified and if you do this, police will take action.