A sick stalker who left his victim living in fear raped her as she was in her kitchen making a hot drink after work. 

Alireza Ghodrat, 25, from Dodd Road in Watford, met his victim by chance five months before the violent attack. 

The pair messaged each other via text on a platonic basis. 

However, Ghodrat became obsessed with the woman and went to her home without being invited on a number of occasions. 

On two occasions, the woman woke up to find him in her bedroom, staring at her. 

He later raped her in her own kitchen in December 2018, as she was making a drink after work. 

The victim's friend, who was worried about Ghodrat's creepy behaviour, contacted police and an investigation was launched. 

Ghodrat was jailed at St Albans Crown Court on December 8 after being found guilty of rape.

He was sentenced to seven years and six months behind bars after a trial and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Sam Hunt, from the Constabulary’s Sexual Offences Investigation Unit (SOIT), said: “Ghodrat’s actions were absolutely appalling and left his victim living in fear. He behaved obsessively towards her for a number of months before committing a violent rape against her at her home.

“I would like to commend the victim for the bravery and dignity she has shown throughout the trial. The horrific ordeal has left her feeling unsafe in her home, yet Ghodrat showed total disregard for the impact his actions had on her.

“Nothing will ever erase this harrowing ordeal from her memory, but I hope the sentence can at least bring some small sense of closure to her.”

Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse can contact the Herts Sexual Assault Referral Centre for support. Call the 24/7 helpline on 0808 178 4448, email Herts.SARC@nhs.net or visit www.hertssarc.org.

You can also report information to police online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to a police operator via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or call the non-emergency number 101.