A sex offender who raped his victim in a hotel room has been jailed.

Police first launched an investigation after a woman reported she had been assaulted in Gravesend almost four years ago.

Daniel Holdaway, from Milton Regis, near Sittingbourne, had spent time with his victim during the evening before and had taken her to pre-booked accommodation.

The two entered a hotel room together and, despite the woman repeatedly stating her wishes to Holdaway, he ignored them and raped her.

The victim was able to leave the premises while he slept and she reported what had happened soon after the attack on August 29, 2021.

Officers attended and initial inquiries were completed.

Holdaway, from Burnham Close, was arrested two days after the assault and was later charged with rape.

He denied the offences in court when he went on trial, but he was sentenced to five years in prison at Maidstone Crown Court last Friday (May 30) after a jury saw through his lies.

The 24-year-old will have to comply with strict sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Det Con Daniel Burnett said: “I would like to praise the victim’s courage in coming forward to report this man, who showed her no respect by clearly ignoring her wishes.

‘Predators such as Holdaway need to understand that no means no...’

“I hope it offers her some closure that he has been convicted and will be subject to strict requirements on his release.

“Predators such as Holdaway need to understand that no means no, and we will always strive to bring offenders before the courts where they can be made to face justice.”