Life sentence for rapist

A Derby man who raped an 18-year-old girl after punching her in the face has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Derby Crown Court heard 22-year-old Anthony Hawkins carried out the attack at a house in the city in the early hours of 19 May last year.

Hawkins, who was found guilty after a trial, had previous convictions for physical assaults against a total of 17 men and women.

Judge Richard Benson said this record was "unparalleled" in his 35 years' experience.

Witness intimidation

Judge Benson said: "I had the benefit of seeing how you behaved in the dock and in the witness box.

"Your arrogance was astounding and you showed not one jot of remorse.

"You have shown yourself to be a very serious danger to other people and I have no doubt a sentence of life imprisonment is justified."

Hawkins, of Rawlinson Avenue, Sunnyhill, also pleaded guilty to two charges of causing actual bodily harm and one of witness intimidation involving further incidents.

He will not be considered for parole for a minimum of three years.