Sick rapist attacked disabled woman in her own home - she died before justice

MICHAEL HANMORE, 46, ADMITTED THE SEX CRIME, BURGLARY AND STEALING A MOTOR VEHICLE AFTER AN INCIDENT ON THE ISLE OF SHEPPEY IN KENT IN 2022 - BUT LATER TRIED TO CHANGE HIS PLEA 01:17, 21 May

2025 A "tremendously brave" rape victim passed away before seeing her attacker brought to justice, after the convicted man attempted to withdraw his guilty plea and delayed the

sentencing process. Michael Hanmore, 46, confessed to the heinous acts of sexual assault, burglary and steaing a car after a chilling episode on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent back in 2022.

Police revealed he later tried to pull back and change his confession, dragging out the court proceedings, and during this time, his elderly and disabled victim sadly died. Hanmore, from

Sheerness, Kent, was jailed for life with a minimum stretch of 12 years at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday May 20. Kent Police Detective Chief Inspector Kath Way spoke out post-verdict:

"He is clearly a very dangerous man who belongs behind bars. "After initially admitting what he had done, Hanmore later changed his mind and attempted to take the case to trial

despite the overwhelming evidence that proved he was responsible. "Whilst the courts would not allow that to happen, it still resulted in his sentencing hearing being significantly

delayed and his victim sadly passed away in the meantime without seeing justice served." Cops detailed how Hanmore's horrific attack began around 2am on May 7 three years ago, when

his victim was startled awake by the noise of someone lurking in her kitchen. Moments later, he barged into her bedroom and unleashed a savage attack, which included raping her and then

brutally stamping on her arms and body while he barked demands for cash. The woman caught him stealing cash from her room, and he didn't leave the property until he'd been inside

for over an hour. She later found her mobile phone and tablet pinched as well, leaving her stranded without a way to ring for help until just after 9am when an expected visitor arrived and

she could finally get help. Cops kicked off an investigation and managed to track the route of the victim's car stolen from her place using number plate recognition technology. They

also swiftly decided Hanmore as the culprit and arrested him in Hackney, east London, a good 50 miles from where he'd committed his crimes, on the evening of May 8, 2022. Analysis of

his mobile revealed it had been at the same spots as the stolen car, and the coppers linked forensic evidence left at the scene straight to him, they said. As well as his life sentence, he

will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life. Det Chf Insp Way chimed in: "There can be few things as terrifying as someone breaking into your home in

the middle of the night before attacking you in your own bedroom. That is exactly what Michael Hanmore put his elderly and disabled victim through, without any thought for the severe trauma

his actions would cause to her, her family and friends. "I am very pleased he has been sentenced to life imprisonment, which is entirely appropriate for the dreadful crimes he

committed and will ensure he no longer poses a threat to innocent members of the public. Article continues below "[His victim] was tremendously brave and supported our investigation

with great dignity throughout. Nobody deserves to be subjected to such appalling violence and I hope this outcome is of some comfort to her family." IF YOU OR SOMEBODY YOU KNOW HAS BEEN

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