A Sydenham rapist who threatened his victim with a knife has been locked up for 18 years.

Twisted Jimmy Prospere, 47, of Bishopsthorpe Road, used violence and intimidation against the woman, who he knew.

On two occasions last year Prospere raped her, using a knife to threaten her during the first attack.

The victim, aged in her 40s, eventually managed to gather the courage to report the abuse to police and Prospere was arrested.

At Woolwich Crown Court today (September 19) he was sentenced to total of 18 years after being found guilty of two counts of rape.

After the case, Detective Constable Claire Rutherford from the Met's Sapphire Unit said: "The victim has shown immense courage and resilience throughout the investigation and the court process, and I hope that this conviction helps her find closure in due course.

"I also hope that this conviction acts as a means of encouragement for those women who suffer from sexual abuse to feel reassured that the police take these matters very seriously and will pursue such allegations thoroughly."