Labourer jailed for knifepoint rape

Needham broke into the woman's flat and raped her

A labourer who stole a student's handbag before later breaking into her home and raping her at knifepoint has been jailed for nine years.

Richard Bruce Needham, of Hulse Road, Southampton, stole the 21-year-old victim's bag after she had been on a night out in the city.

Needham, 23, pleaded guilty to rape, aggravated burglary, theft and having an offensive weapon.

He was jailed for nine years for the rape, six years for burglary, one year for theft and six months for having the knife.

The sentences at Southampton Crown Court are to run concurrently.

The student was woken in the early hours of 26 August, by Needham, who then sexually assaulted her at knifepoint.

He had snatched her bag four hours earlier as she walked home with a friend shortly after midnight.

During the incident, the victim sustained serious cuts to her arms, face and hands.