Rape sentence found to be unduly lenient
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Pictured: Alfie Rowbotham
A man found guilty of rape has had his sentence increased.
Alfie Rowbotham, aged 27 of Walpole Road, King’s Lynn has had his sentence increased to eight and a half years for raping a woman. He appeared at King’s Lynn Crown Court in June 2025 where he was originally sentenced to five and a half years, after being found guilty following an eight-day trial in March 2025.
The sentencing follows an incident on 19 September 2024, where a woman was walking home in the early hours of the morning from a night out in King’s Lynn. The woman was approached by Rowbotham who was walking his dog.
Rowbotham forced himself upon the victim, kissing and groping her before pulling her into an alleyway and raping her.
The victim fled the scene and entered a nearby taxi office for help where staff assisted her and called police.
Officers immediately identified Rowbotham through CCTV enquiries and he was arrested the same day. He was charged and remanded into custody.
Prosecutors from the CPS East of England Area appealed his original sentence for being unduly lenient and it has since been increased by three years following a hearing on 14 October 2025.
Investigating officer, DC Christine Copeman said: “I would like to commend the victim in this case for her bravery in coming forward and supporting this prosecution.
“I hope that this increased sentence provides her with some level of comfort, knowing he will be behind bars for the foreseeable future.”