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A detective has described a 42-year-old sex offender starting a life jail sentence after being convicted of raping a "stranger" as "dangerous".

Anthony Bassett had attacked a "young man" he met outside a Wellingborough pub while on bail, police said.

He had been convicted of rape and told he would serve more than seven years before being eligible for parole.

Det Con Victoria Thomas said his offending was "horrific".

Police said a jury found Bassett, of Midland Road, Wellingborough, guilty of rape, and two other sex offences, after a trial at Northampton Crown Court in January.

He had been sentenced earlier this month and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 86 months.

'Predatory'

"Anthony Bassett is a dangerous man, and I am so pleased that the severity of his horrific offending has been recognised with a life sentence," said Det Con Thomas, who investigated the attack.

"Despite his attempts to lie and explain away what happened that night, the evidence clearly showed his calculated and predatory behaviour in taking advantage of a young man and brutally attacking him."

She added: "Throughout this investigation and trial the victim survivor has been so brave."

'Bail'

Police said the attack took place in July 2023 and said Bassett had approached his victim, a stranger, under the guise of "helping" him, police said.

He had previous convictions for rape and other sexual offences and committed the rape while on bail, police said in a statement.