A BUILDER who raped a woman in her own home has been jailed for five years.

Nigel Doherty, of Rectory Place, Woolwich, sneaked into the woman's home, after finding a spare key, and talked to her.

He dragged the 54-year-old victim into her bedroom and raped her, stifling her screams by ramming a pillow over her face.

Doherty then ran from the house and sped off in his car after the attack on April 21 last year.

The 56-year-old denied rape, claiming his victim consented to sex, but he was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court and sentenced to five years in prison on January 19.

Judge John Price said to Doherty: "Because of what you did your victim's life has been destroyed."

He added the woman has been left "scared to leave the house" since the attack.