Man jailed for raping woman in Norwich

A 41-year-old man has been jailed for five years for raping a woman in Norwich.

Thomas Hobdell, of The Street, Sutton, was sentenced today (Friday 28 February) at Norwich Crown court after pleading guilty to the charge in November 2024.

The court heard how on an evening in February 2020, Hobdell was at the victim's address when he tried to kiss and touch her.  When the woman refused his advances he raped her.

The woman reported it to police two days later and Hobdell was arrested but denied raping the victim.  He was bailed to allow further enquiries and interviewed a second time in June 2021 where he continued to deny rape.

Hobdell was charged in June 2023 and offered a not guilty plea but failed to attend his court hearing so was arrested. A trial date was set for November 2024. However just before the trial was due to start Hobdell admitted raping the victim and entered a guilty plea.

In addition to the five-year prison sentence, Hobdell was made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly for 10 years.  He was also put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

In a personal statement read in court the victim told how the attack has left her with severe anxiety.

She said: "The assault took place in my own home, a place that should have been my sanctuary, while my children were asleep upstairs.

“This violation of my personal space has left me feeling vulnerable and terrified. I experience frequent panic attacks, which have made it difficult to function normally. 

“This experience has fundamentally altered who I am and how I see the world. I am no longer the person I was before.”

Following today’s sentencing Detective Constable Chris Edwards, who led the investigation,  said: "The abhorrent crime committed by Thomas Hobdell has caused the victim a great deal of trauma and continues to have a profound impact on her life.

“I would like to thank the victim for her bravery in coming forward to report this offence and sharing distressing details of her ordeal.

“I hope that the sentence handed to Thomas Hobdell today reinforces that we take reports of crimes like this seriously and that we will do all we can to bring offenders to justice.

“No sentence could ever undo the harm perpetrated by Hobdell, but I hope the outcome in this case will aid the healing process for the victim".

Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence can call police on 999 in an emergency or report a crime on 101. If you need further support or don't feel you can speak to police, there are a list of support services who can help here.