A convicted killer and rapist who had served eight years in prison preyed on a "lonely single lady" in a Putney pub less than two years after his release.

Ian Kennedy, 48, from Whitnell Way, Putney, was sentenced to a life behind bars on Friday for the rape, unlawful wounding and false imprisonment of a 53-year-old woman on February 3 of this year.

The court heard how he met the victim who was a user of tranquillisers and weighed only six stones in the pub and took her home, holding her at knife point against her will and raping her.

Addressing the defendant at Kingston Crown Court where he was surrounded by three security guards Judge Michael Hucker said: "Though it will be eight years before the parole board even considers your release, I must put it on record that I regard you as a significant threat to women of all ages, both in respect of serious injury, rape and murder.

"With regard to the victim in this case she had every reason, as she said, to be killed first and foremost. It was only her bravery and self-control that saved her."

Kennedy was sentenced in March 1986 to six years for "manslaughter in the context of sexual activity" involving the death of a woman found with knickers stuffed down her throat.

He was subsequently convicted in October 1992 for rape, serving eight years of a 12-year sentence before being released on licence in May 2000.

Ruth Hall, from the charity Women Against Rape, which helps women across London, told the Borough News she had no complaints about the length of sentences for convicted rapists.

She said: "The crucial issue is the fact very few rapists get to court in the first place and of those who do, a high proportion are released without any sentence at all.

"That's the biggest deterrent to women coming forward and the biggest green light to rapists."

The charity provides support, advice and counselling to women and girls who have survived rape and sexual assault.

Call on 020 7482 2496.

12:32pm Friday 13th December 2002

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