Dog walker who raped dementia sufferer jailed

A DOG walker who raped a dementia suffering pensioner in her own home has been branded dangerous as he jailed for nine years for the shocking attack.

- ROB KENNEDY Court Reporter

Paul Woodmass hunted down the elderly stranger after chatting to her while they walked their pets a few weeks earlier.

The married grandfather then raped the vulnerable victim after tricking his way into her home. As police spoke to the woman hours later, Woodmass turned up outside her house, refused to give his name to police until he was arrested and was found to be in possession of a packet of condoms, having gone back hoping to strike again.

The 66-year-old, of Linnel Drive, Lemington, Newcastle, had denied rape and said they only chatted and had a cup of tea, despite his saliva being found inside her underwear. Jurors at Newcastle Crown Court unanimously convicted him after a trial in July and he has been remanded in custody since then.

Now he has been jailed for nine years plus an extended licence period of a further three years after a judge branded him a dangerous offender. He will also have to sign the sex offenders register for life and was given a sexual harm prevention order and restraining order, which are both indefinite.

As he was sentenced, the court heard the victim “mercifully has no real recollection of what happened” as a result of her dementia. Judge

Andrew Smith said: “She knows something happened that was not pleasant. She doesn’t fully understand and to some extent thinks she might be responsible. It’s knocked her confidence going forward.”