Ipswich man jailed for seven and a half years for raping drunk woman at 18th birthday party.

A 23-year-old Ipswich man, Keiffer Sewell, has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison for raping a drunk woman at an 18th birthday party. The incident occurred four years ago in 2017, when Sewell was 19.

Judge Emma Peters described the offense as "opportunistic" and stated that Sewell had taken advantage of the woman's vulnerability due to her intoxicated state. She highlighted that Sewell had stifled the woman's cries for help by putting a duvet over her mouth before committing the assault.

The judge emphasized the compelling evidence against Sewell, particularly his DNA found on internal swabs taken from the victim. She noted that Sewell had desperately attempted to explain the presence of his DNA, indicating his guilt.

Sewell denied the charges throughout the trial, which lasted a week at Ipswich Crown Court. However, the jury found him guilty by an 11-1 majority verdict. He will have to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.

The court heard that the victim, a woman in her 20s, had become ill after consuming too much alcohol at the party and went upstairs to her bedroom. Sewell followed her, undressed her, and raped her. After the incident, the victim reported the assault to the police.

Sewell's defense attorney, Juliet Donovan, presented his lack of prior convictions and his young son, loving partner, and family as mitigating factors. Despite the evidence, Sewell maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.