A homeless addict who broke into a woman’s home in Croydon and abused her for nine months has been sentenced to 28 years in prison.

The 26-year-old man pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, one count of inflicting grievous bodily harm, three counts of inflicting actual bodily harm, and one count of sexual assault, in March this year.

The 62-year-old woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, met Kevin Hawkins outside a Co-op store in Croydon in December 2022 after he begged for money and she “took pity on him”. 

The court heard that Kevin Hawkins, then aged 25, appeared at the woman’s house a few weeks later asking for a cup of tea, then let himself into her home and refused to leave. It was heard that he then subjected her to physical and financial abuse. 

The judge sitting at Croydon Crown Court heard on Friday, October 25, that Hawkins raped the woman several times and threw scalding water at her on one occasion. 

He asked for money daily, several times a day to pay his drug debts the court heard. He is said to have consumed cocaine in her house and invited fellow addicts over to do the same. 

The woman was rescued by a member of staff at the bank who saw that she still had her slippers on, noticed her facial injuries and that Hawkins was waiting outside the building. 

Hawkins was arrested on August 8, 2023, after he forced her to the bank demanding money. 

Prosecutor Sophie Sutton told the court: “She did not want to go as she had been the day before. 

“He then began to physically attack her by hitting her, pulling her hair, and dragging her. 

“She felt she had no choice but to go. She was marched up the road by Mr Hawkins, who remained outside the bank.” 

Hawkins, who is a diagnosed schizophrenic, is said to have failed to take his prescribed medication while also “deliberately and wilfully” took illicit drugs that would eventually worsen his condition. 

Judge Claire Harden-Frost, passing sentence, told the defendant: “The victim of the offences committed by you is and was a vulnerable woman in her 60s, who had the misfortune to encounter you – and the heart to try and help you. 

“You took over her home. You used her money.” 

Assessing Hawkins as “clearly dangerous” the judge sentenced him to an extended sentence 28 year with 21 years spent in prison and seven on license. 

He was additionally made subject to a Sexual Crime Prevention Order for life.