Jason Wren, 32, forced his way into the woman’s house in Hastings in November 2024, wearing gloves and a balaclava in an attack described as a woman’s worst nightmare.
Wren, of Redmayne Drive in Hastings, was fascinated with rape, bondage and sexual violence, a judge said.
He targeted his victim after lying in wait and spying on her through her living room window.
He was seen circling the area prior to the incident, and witnesses who passed him noticed his odd behaviour.
The victim opened the door in response to a knock, expecting it to be a delivery.
Wren attacked her and made threats if she made any noise before forcing her upstairs where he raped her.
Around 15 minutes later he fled the scene and was captured on CCTV leaving the area.
The victim dialled 999, and specialist officers were immediately deployed to support and investigate.
Following a media appeal, Wren handed himself in a few days later.
In his interview he categorically denied the allegation, stating that it had been a consensual encounter with the victim that had been arranged the day before when they had passed each other in the street.
On 3 June, following a six-day trial at Hove Crown Court, the jury found Wren guilty of all offences, and he was remanded into custody to await his sentencing.
He appeared again at Hove Crown Court on Friday, 12 September where he was jailed for 15 years. He has been ordered to serve a further seven years on licence.
Her Honour Judge Christine Henson KC said Wren subjected his victim to a terrifying and violent sexual attack in her own house.
“She was a complete stranger to you,” the judge said.
“You saw her in her lounge, alone, enjoying an early Saturday evening in front of the TV and you watched her for a considerable time before your attack.
“You were peering through the window on at least four occasions before covering your face.
“As soon as she answered the door, you forced your hands over her mouth and around her neck.”
The judge said the attack was every woman’s worst nightmare.
“The impact on her of your crime is immense.
“You brutally raped your victim who was a complete stranger to you after forcing your way into her home.
“You have a fascination with rape.”
“This was not spontaneous.
“You checked and waited,” the judge said.
Wren had extreme sexualised views of women and children, the judge said.
The court heard Wren had been involved in sexually aggressive blackmail online with two girls aged 13 and 14.
He does not accept responsibility for his offending, the court heard.
In a harrowing victim statement, his victim said she feels constant fear following the attack in her own home.
“I honestly do not know how I’ve survived the last nine months,” she said.
“The panic and fear, knowing he was wandering around the same town as me.
“Knowing I did not know what he looked like.
“I do not like being at home or anywhere on my own.
“I know I will battle with this for many, many years.
“Any illusions of safety were shattered when he turned my home and my bedroom into the scene of the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”
The woman said she lives in a constant state of self-preservation.
“I’m trying to do normal things to get some normality back in my life.
“I now notice every random man.
“The fear and anxiety this has caused will affect me for the rest of my life.
“I cannot imagine a time when answering my front door will not be a fear inducing trial.”
Daniel Harrison from the Crown Prosecution Service said: “Jason Wren is a dangerous man with a fascination for rape, who carefully planned his attack, wearing a face covering and putting on a pair of gloves shortly beforehand.
“He took time beforehand to check whether anyone was coming or going from the victim’s house, repeatedly peering in through one of the windows and acting in such a strange way outside her house that nearby witnesses were concerned about his behaviour.
“Once Wren was certain the woman was alone, he forced his way into a complete stranger’s home and threatened to kill her, before attacking her.
“Everyone should be able to feel secure in their own home, but Wren shattered that feeling of safety that night when he launched what can only be described as a horrendous attack.”
Wren will spend at least ten years in prison.
He was sentenced to 15 years with a seven-year extended license.
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