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George Orwa jailed for raping woman in St Michael's churchyard in Sittingbourne

10:58, 23 March 2017

A sex beast who dragged a terrified woman into a graveyard at night and raped her has been jailed for 12 years.

George Orwa was told by a judge: “I have no doubt this was a terrifying and traumatic experience for your victim. You violently raped her.”

Finding that the 33-year-old supermarket worker was “a dangerous individual”, Judge Adele Williams passed an extended sentence, which means he will not be considered for release until he has served eight years.

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George Orwa. Picture: Kent Police.
George Orwa. Picture: Kent Police.

If the parole board decides it is safe to release him, he will be on licence for a further three years. He is likely to be deported back to his native country of Kenya.

As Orwa, who continues to maintain his innocence, was led to the cells, he said: “Thank you, your Honour. May God bless you. May God forgive the police for all the lies.”

VIDEO: Footage shows where the attack happened, in St Michael's Churchyard

He claimed at his trial last month that the victim consented after suggesting going into the churchyard in Sittingbourne for sex, but a jury unanimously convicted him.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the woman had been drinking heavily during a night out in the town. They ended up at bar in the late evening of August 13 last year in the High Street.

Orwa raped the woman in St Michael's churchyard
Orwa raped the woman in St Michael's churchyard

She and her friend were joined on the dance floor by married Orwa, who was in the UK on a spouse visa. She danced with him for a while and then moved away.

CCTV showed the friends leaving the bar at 1.20am. Predatory Orwa followed 30 seconds later.

She started to walk home alone, declining her friend’s suggestion to share a taxi.

Despite living in the opposite direction, Orwa followed her. She recalled him grabbing her and telling her he wanted to walk her home. She rebuffed him.

"I have no doubt this was a terrifying and traumatic experience for your victim. You violently raped her" - Judge Adele Williams, to Orwa

When they reached St Michael’s churchyard near the bottom of the High Street, which is not covered by CCTV cameras, Orwa grabbed her arm and pushed her into the graveyard.

“He threw her into a gravestone,” said prosecutor Martin Yale. “He held her down. He kept saying he loved her. He said she was a sweet girl and he had never been with an English girl before.

“He was leaning on her. She froze. She was unable to get him off her. He pulled her trousers down.”

Despite her protests, he unzipped his trousers and raped her.

Judge Adele Williams
Judge Adele Williams

The victim, a mother in her 40s, punched him on the head. She pulled up her trousers and went to a nearby bus stop and called the police.

“I screamed at him to leave me alone,” she said. “I screamed at him I was going to call the police and he left.”

Orwa, of Agate Court, Sonora Fields, Sittingbourne, said in evidence he had been in the UK for three years after joining his wife, a UK citizen, and planned to go to university.

He went out on the night of the offence to “dance and have fun”.

The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court
The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

Judge Williams told Orwa, whose name will appear on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely: “You have been convicted on clear and compelling evidence of the brutal rape of your victim.

“She has made a victim personal statement which sets out exactly the extent of the trauma she suffered. Her anguish and distress will be long-term and substantial.”

Orwa had carried out good work with children in Kenya. He came to the UK in December 2013, having met his wife when she was on holiday in his country.

“Because of the nature of the offence and the way it was committed and lack of insight into your offending, I conclude you do pose a risk of causing serious harm to women in future,” added the judge.

The graveyard outside St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne
The graveyard outside St Michael's Church in Sittingbourne

After sentencing, Detective Sergeant Adam Marshall said: "This was a horrific attack on a woman who had been out enjoying a night with her friend.

"Orwa preyed on the victim whilst she was in a vulnerable state and committed this awful crime for his own gain and did not once think how frightened his victim would have been.

"Orwa denied the offence throughout the trial so I would like to commend his victim for the courage and bravery she has shown throughout this trial and I hope today’s verdict can help her to find some closure."

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