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Willesborough rapist Berhe Berhane sentenced to 13 years after brutal Canterbury attack

A rapist – who complained his victim didn’t show enough enthusiasm during his menacing attack – has been given a 16 year sentence.

Arrogant Berhe Berhane, 22, had also complained when the jury found him guilty and was led away today still berating the judge.

But now the knifepoint sex predator has been told he will have to serve more than eight of the 13 year jail term before he can be considered for parole.

Berhane was given a 16-year sentence
Berhane was given a 16-year sentence

And even when he is released, he will be on licence for three extra years – after the judge ruled he poses a serious danger to women.

Judge Heather Norton revealed that Berhane, of Riverbank Way, Willesborough, had been cautioned for one sex attack in 2011 and had been the subject of other allegations of sex or violence, which were later dropped.

But in April this year he armed himself with a kitchen knife and attacked a 22-year-old woman in Canterbury.

The courageous victim sat in the public gallery just a few feet away from her attacker as he banged his hand against a safety screen.

Despite being told to go to the cells, Berhane shouted: “You don’t understand... you don’t know... women have to respect me!”

As security officials ushered him away, he was heard to bang the walls shouting: “Bitch!”

Ms Gabby Henty had told the jury at the trial how the victim had met Berhane three years ago at a party when he had tried to hug and kiss her.

"He asked if she would sleep with him and when she refused he tripped her up so she fell to the ground and he lay on top of her.

"But she managed to push him off and then ran into the house."

Judge Heather Norton
Judge Heather Norton

The prosecutor said the victim had told her boyfriend who had then confronted Berhane and told him to stay away.

But earlier this year the victim was walking in Canterbury and saw Berhane – who had been drinking vodka - in the street.

Ms Henty said the victim later stayed at her boyfriend's home but was awoken in the early hours by Berhane who had armed himself with a kitchen knife.

"He kept saying he was going to stab her and held the knife close to her face and told her to take off her clothes. She was terrified.

"She did as she was told and he then told her to perform a sex act on him. He then pushed her onto the bed and got on top of her. He had put the knife down on the table nearby as the attack continued."

The prosecutor told how the courageous victim then tried to make a grab for the weapon but at the last moment lost her nerve because she feared she might get stabbed.

After the attacks, Berhane – who first of all complained about her not showing enough enthusiasm – then thanked his traumatised victim... and pleaded with her not to report the rapes.

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

He then engaged her in a bizarre conversation about God and killing, the jury heard.

But the nasty thug then warned that if she reported the rape he would return and kill her, the prosecutor revealed.

Berhane who was convicted of four rapes, even demanded his victim to show more enthusiasm during subsequent attacks.

She told the jury: "I don't know how to describe my feelings. I was just empty. I was crying. I was just numb.

"He kept asking me not to tell anyone. He was begging, begging and begging for me not to tell anyone. At one point he was on his knees. He said he was drunk and when he gets drunk he can't control himself."

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