Hove pensioner jailed for rape for 15 years

A pensioner from Hove has been jailed for 15 years for raping a girl over seven years.

Patrick Foley, 83, of Prinsep Road, Hove, was found guilty of seven counts of rape by a jury at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (22 December).

Patrick Foley

Foley knew his victim. He raped her between 1968 and 1975 when she was between the ages of 11 and 18, the court was told.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

Detective Constable Holly Hallahan, of Sussex Police, said: “The victim has had to live with this for the last 40 years and this is a fantastic result for her.

“She has shown enormous courage in coming forward and talking to us about what she endured and now she has the justice she deserves.

“I would urge anyone who has suffered any form of historic abuse to also have the courage to come forward.”