Man sentenced to five years for sexual assault

A man who sexually assaulted a woman who had gone to check on his welfare has been jailed for five years.

Richard Kemp, 57, of no fixed abode but of the Huntingdon area, attacked the victim when she visited him on 9 May 2023.

Kemp was drunk and became verbally abusive towards her and when she attempted to leave, he grabbed her from behind, pulled her hair and sexually assaulted her.

He then stopped and told her he had forgotten who he was attacking.

When the victim again tried to leave, Kemp subjected her to a second sexual assault but this time she managed to flee to a friend's home.

Afterwards, Kemp messaged the woman to apologise, but said he had "enjoyed" it.

The following day, he sent another message which said: "On the good side, there is no time limit for sexual abuse. So, if you ever do want to make a complaint, I shall capitulate."

Five days later, Kemp, who was drunk, handed himself in at Parkside Police Station in Cambridge, telling officers he had sexually assaulted a woman earlier that month.

He was arrested but denied two counts of assaulting a woman aged 13 or over by penetration with a part of the body or a thing.

Following a trial at Peterborough Crown Court in August, he was found guilty of both offences.

At the same court on Thursday (8 October), Kemp was sentenced to five years in prison and placed on the Sex Offenders Register.

DC Katie Housham, who investigated, said: "Kemp subjected the victim to a terrifying and degrading ordeal when she had simply gone to check on his welfare.

"His actions have had a lasting impact on the victim, who showed immense courage in reporting the offences and supporting the investigation through to trial.

"I welcome the sentence handed down by the court and hope it provides the victim with some reassurance that Kemp has been held accountable for his crimes."

For more on sexual offences, including how to report them and spot the signs, visit the dedicated pages on the force website.

Picture: Richard Kemp