A van driver who raped a woman after tricking her into accepting a lift has been jailed.

Andrew Mills, 61, lured the woman into his van after noticing her in a distressed state in Gravesend town centre, but instead of taking her home subjected her to a prolonged ordeal in his vehicle.

Watch the moment Mills is arrested by officers

Mills, who was sentenced to eight years in prison today, initially denied two counts of rape and three other sexual offences, but was found guilty of each offence following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court heard that around 12.30am on Tuesday, August 6 2019, several people approached the victim in Campbell Road after noticing she was distressed following the theft of her mobile phone.

Mills, of Granville Road, Gravesend, joined the small group who were attempting to help her, and offered to drive her home in his van.

His offer was accepted and it was during this journey the offences were committed until the victim convinced Mills to allow her to get out.

Upon escaping, the victim used her concealer to write down his number plate and her quick thinking helped Kent Police officers quickly locate and arrest him.

She alerted the police at 2am and, after providing the number plate details, a patrol was able to locate Mills’ van parked near to his home address on the same morning.

They then knocked on his door and, during a conversation in the street, he admitted being with the victim.

He was then arrested on suspicion of rape and taken into custody.

Senior investigating officer, DI Ross Gurden, said: "Mills has shown himself to be an opportunistic predator who poses an extreme danger to women.

"It would have been abundantly clear to him that the victim was distressed and vulnerable, and he exploited this in the worst and most deceitful way imaginable.

"Mills has shown himself to be an opportunistic predator who poses an extreme danger to women..."

"Despite being put through a traumatic ordeal, the victim showed exceptional courage in managing to get out of the van and had commendable presence of mind in quickly using her concealer to write down his registration number.

"I am pleased that we have now secured justice for her. While nothing is going to undo the harm Mills has caused, I sincerely hope that she can take a degree of reassurance from the result of this case."

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