A 35-year-old man who raped a mother in her own home after meeting her on a dating website has today been sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Dave Wilby had met his victim on Plenty of Fish, where he stated he was a 'nice, honest, decent guy'.

After she refused to meet him for a drink, he forced his way into her home and subjected her to a 'horrendous attack' while her children were upstairs.

Wilby, of Montagu Close, Swaffham, was sentenced at Norwich Crown Court for the offence, which took place at an address in the Swaffham area on December 28 last year.

On July 1 this year he was found guilty of raping a woman aged 16 or over at the same court following a five-day trial.

The victim had been chatting to Wilby on the dating site during the afternoon of December 28 when he suggested they meet for a drink and the victim refused.

His messages continued and at around 7pm there was a knock at the front door and the victim opened it to a man who said: 'It's me from Plenty of Fish'.

The victim told him she didn't want him there, but he pushed his way inside. Despite asking Wilby to leave on a number of occasions he eventually raped her in the lounge.

He left the house after being disturbed by one of the victim's children.

The victim confided in her family the next day who advised her to go to the police. She was taken to the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) where she was supported by specialist officers, and Wilby was subsequently arrested on December 29.

Detective Constable Amy Beck of Norfolk Police's Rape Investigation Unit, said: 'This was a horrendous attack on a woman who was in the safety of her own home.

'It has had a profound impact on the victim who had no intention of meeting with Wilby that evening having only recently started chatting with him on Plenty of Fish.

'What makes this case even more shocking is the fact Wilby committed the offence knowing the victim's children were upstairs.

'Such a stranger attack is extremely rare in Norfolk and we would like to commend the victim for the bravery she has shown throughout this investigation.

'We hope such a sentence will give her sense of closure, and that she can now move on more positively with her life.'

Wilby was sentenced to 12 years in prison with an extended licence of five years and was placed on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Norfolk's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), The Harbour Centre, operates a 24-hour service for victims of sexual abuse and can be contacted on 01603 276381 or call police on 101 to report a crime.

The SARC opened in September 2010 and aims to empower victims by allowing them to report their abuse and undergo medical examinations without prompting a police investigation. For more information on the Harbour Centre visit www.theharbourcentre.co.uk