A RAPIST is facing a swift return to prison after attacking a Gravesend pensioner in her home just days after he had been released from a previous jail term.

Joe Street, of no fixed address, was found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court today of the attack on a 78-year-old woman on June 14.

After she was assaulted, the pensioner went upstairs to the toilet and Street followed her in, rifling through her cardigan pockets to search for a mobile phone before fleeing the house.

During his short trial Street, who denied rape, sat calmly with arms folded as his victim relived her ordeal via the court's videolink.

He also warned a dock officer that he would be tempted to "bolt" from the courtroom if giving evidence from the witness box. In the end, he offered no evidence in his defence, claiming only that he could not remember what happened.

His victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said Street had turned up at her home looking like "a zombie" and clutching two beers, claiming to have already drunk 13 cans.

She reluctantly let him in but he attacked her after complaining about a lack of sex due to being locked up for a year.

His victim told police in her interview: "I thought, he could knock me for six, couldn't he.

"I thought, just let it happen."

Street, who was 19 when he committed the rape, is set to be sentenced on December 21, pending psychiatric reports.

Do you know Joe Street? Call News Shopper on 01689 885 714 or email mchandler@london.newsquest.co.uk