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Rapist Anthony Hutchings held women prisoner and attacked them at his Seasalter home

13:00, 09 February 2018

Two women held hostage in a Whitstable summerhouse were subjected to a terrifying two-hour ordeal in which one was repeatedly raped and forced to stab the other.

Twisted Anthony Hutchings used a machete, knife, saw and hammer as he attacked the victims imprisoned at his home in Lucerne Drive, Seasalter.

The 27-year-old has now been jailed for 16 years after a judge ruled he poses a serious risk to other women.

Anthony Hutchings. Picture: Northamptonshire Police.
Anthony Hutchings. Picture: Northamptonshire Police.

Canterbury Crown Court head Hutchings was in the summerhouse with his victims when he claimed a “rock” of cocaine had been stolen from him.

The jury was told he kept the women prisoner inside the property for two hours, forcing one to strip and endure an internal search for the drugs.

He repeatedly kicked and punched both of them and held a machete to one of their throats.

He then handed one of them a kitchen knife and forced her to stab the other in the leg before also hitting her across the face with a saw.

The woman who was stabbed eventually managed to leave but Hutchings subjected the other victim to further violence and abuse and forced her to swallow medication that was not hers.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

He also raped her three times and assaulted her with a hammer.

Following the attacks, Hutchings stole a car and fled to Northamptonshire, where he was arrested four days later.

Judge Simon James said the rape victim was taken to hospital for two weeks and suffered “significant and ongoing psychological trauma.

“I am afraid I feel compelled to the conclusion that you pose a serious risk of causing harm to women," Judge James said.

"Hutchings is a violent man who put his victims through hours of misery and pain" - DC Heather Moore

"You have repeatedly demonstrated an apparent inability to control your temperament.

“And although you made self-serving admissions at the start of your trial, I note you still deny the rapes and there is nothing indicative of true remorse.

“And there is information that you have used violence against women in the past, offences which represent a pattern of behaviour.”

Hutchings was convicted in December of three rapes, two counts of false imprisonment, encouraging an offence, sexual assault, car theft and breaching a suspended sentence.

Judge Simon James
Judge Simon James

He had also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and perverting the course of justice.

On Thursday he was given an immediate 16-year-prison sentence but told he would only be released if the Parole Board ruled it was safe.

The judge then added another four years which Hutchings, who appeared in court by prison video link, will serve on licence when he is finally released.

Investigating officer DC Heather Moore said: “Hutchings is a violent man who put his victims through hours of misery and pain. He is clearly a danger to women and these aggressive outbursts are inexcusable.

“This has been difficult for the victims who have endured a trial on top of their ordeal and I’m just pleased it has resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.”

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