A MAN who broke into a woman’s home and raped her before going on the run in Worcestershire has avoided being jailed for life.

Despite having a previous conviction for attempted rape of an 83-year-old woman, also in her own home, Daniel McGrath was given an extended sentence of 12 years in prison with four years added to his period on licence.

The sentence means he will be eligible for release after serving eight years for the “nightmare” attack – but will only be freed if he is considered no longer a danger.

Once released he will remain on licence, and be liable to be recalled to prison if his behaviour gives cause for concern, until 2031.

McGrath, 34, previously of Shottery Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court to charges of rape, sexual assault and robbery following the incident in July.

Daniel Oscroft, prosecuting, said his victim, who lives alone in Stratford, was woken several times in the night by McGrath ringing her door bell.At 6.20am she heard a noise, and found him in the conservatory. He began demanding money, threatening to hurt her and telling her not to look at him – and he marched her round the house looking for things to steal.

In the bedroom he pulled her pyjamas down and following a prolonged and humiliating assault he raped her. Following the attack McGrath ordered his victim to take a shower while he fled the house.

He went on the run, sparking a huge police search when he fled to Worcestershire. He was spotted in Evesham and the Nunnery area of Worcester before he was eventually arrested in Swansea a week later.

The court heard he had been sentenced to eight years detention at Worcester Crown Court in 1998 for the earlier attempted rape. In February 2010 at Worce5ster Magistrates’ Court he was given a SOPO over allegations of behaviour of a sexual nature at leisure facilities.

At the time of the Stratford rape he was subject to an 18-month suspended prison sentence imposed at the same court in January this year for attempted burglary, escape and failing to comply with a sexual offences prevention order.

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones said the crime was not bad enough to warrant a life sentence, however he noted that the the circumstances were “chilling” and “every woman’s nightmare”.