Thomas Underdown

A homeless man from Maidstone, Kent, has been jailed for nine years following his conviction for raping a woman in a communal area adjacent to a block of flats. The incident occurred in the early hours of 5 January 2025, highlighting a grave breach of consent and resulting in a unanimous guilty verdict at Southwark Crown Court.

The ordeal began around 12:20am when the victim and Thomas Underdown, aged 33, had agreed to meet at an outbuilding near St Peter’s Street where he slept. After they kissed, the victim made it abundantly clear that she did not consent to any further physical intimacy. Despite this, Underdown repeatedly prevented her from leaving a mattress he used for sleeping and proceeded to assault her sexually, ignoring her explicit refusals.

The offences were promptly reported to Kent Police on 9 January 2025, leading to Underdown's arrest the following day. He was charged with rape and initially pleaded not guilty, necessitating a full trial at Southwark Crown Court. The jury returned a unanimous conviction, underscoring the strength of the evidence presented, including the victim's testimony and investigative details from Kent Police.

On 5 December 2025, Underdown was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment, with a requirement to serve a minimum of two-thirds of the term before eligibility for parole. Additionally, he was made subject to an indefinite restraining order to protect the victim. The sentencing reflects the severity of the crime and the court's commitment to upholding justice in cases of sexual violence.

Detective Constable Stuart Cook of Kent Police commented on the case, stating: 'This was a deeply traumatic ordeal for the victim, who showed immense courage in coming forward and supporting our investigation. She made it clear to Underdown that she did not consent, and her wishes were ignored in the most appalling way. Consent is never negotiable - no means no.' He further added: 'I hope this conviction and sentence brings the victim some sense of justice and reassurance that her voice has been heard. We have dedicated teams committed to supporting victims and ensuring those who do commit such appalling offences are held fully accountable.'

The case was reported by Kent Live, drawing attention to the importance of victim support and police responsiveness in sexual assault investigations within the United Kingdom.