Man who kidnapped and raped ex-wife in 'hidden dungeon' jailed for 13 years

Police officers found the victim screaming in a location they accessed from a small hatch concealed within the base of a wardrobe

The teenagers were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court (PA)

A man who kidnapped his ex-wife, tied her up and raped her in a hidden “dungeon” has been jailed for 13 years.

The woman had arranged to meet her ex-husband, who has not been named to protect her anonymity, so she could take her granddaughter out.

But after she arrived at the premises in Hackney he sprayed her with a substance - believed to be mace - which left her unconscious.

He then bound her hands, feet and mouth before carrying her into a hidden office room, where she was then dropped into the dungeon.

After cutting off the victim's clothes the man raped her twice before leaving her there alone. However, the victim managed to cut herself free and called 999.

The 20-minute call made in October 2014 was played in Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Officers arrived at the premises and could hear the victim screaming from the the hidden dungeon, which they had to access from a small hatch concealed within the base of a wardrobe.

The victim was interviewed by specially trained detectives.

Officers believe she came under significant pressure from family members to withdraw the allegations, but the trial was able to continue without her testimony - a rare occurrence for a rape case.

The man was found guilty of two counts of rape, kidnap and false imprisonment following a retrial.

"It is important to note that the victim in this case was fully engaged throughout the police investigation but at the point of the original trial, felt unable to attend," said Detective Inspector Neil Rawlinson of the Metropolitan Police.

"Due to the overwhelming evidence gathered by my officers, which supported all aspects of the victim’s account, the CPS agreed to proceed with the trial without the victim - something which is extremely rare for rape.

"Offenders often exert power and control to silence their victims but this sentence shows that we can give scarred victims a voice and bring offenders to justice despite their perceived power. I would urge anyone who has been the victim of sexual assault to report it to police - we can provide specially trained officers to support victims and obtain the best evidence possible."

The case was originally tried in July 2015, when the defendant was found guilty of all offences. But the convictions were subsequently quashed by the Court of Appeal on 16 December 2016 and a retrial ordered.

A second defendant, Steven HIll, 53, of East Bank, Stamford Hill, was found not guilty of rape and false imprisonment at the original trial.

The jury was unable to reach a decision on one charge of kidnap, for which he stood trial again and he was again found not guilty.