An Ipswich carer who raped a 72-year-old woman at sheltered housing accommodation in Suffolk has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Radu Mut was helping the woman, who has learning difficulties and dementia, have a shower when he had sex with her, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Mut, 29, of Norwich Road, Ipswich admitted raping the woman in June this year and in addition to being jailed he was made the subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register.

Peter Barlex for Mut accepted the offence was a breach of trust and said his client regretted what he’d done and was disgusted with himself.

He said immigration officials had visited Mut while he had been in custody and he had told them he was keen to return to Romania as soon as he could.

He said Mut had no previous convictions and had come to the UK last year to work so he could send money home to his family.

Detective Inspector Simon Bridgland said: “This is a particularly horrific incident on a vulnerable woman for whom Radu Mut should have been providing care.

“He violated his position of authority and trust in the most horrific way and the effect this abuse has had on his victim, who has been extremely brave in reporting the offences and seeing this case through to its conclusion, should not be underestimated. I would also like to thank the care staff for their help in bringing this man to justice.

“Suffolk Constabulary’s Protecting Vulnerable People Directorate – assisted by our partner agencies - works tirelessly to support victims and witnesses through every step of the process, from the time of reporting right through to trial and beyond. Our objective is to ensure that we get the justice they deserve and to protect the public from dangerous and predatory sexual offenders.”