November 5, 2010 4.04 pm This story is over 160 months old

Open-ended stint for admitted rape attempt

Up to life: A 27-year-old Lincoln man who tried to rape a 65-year-old woman could spend life in jail for the offence.

A 27-year-old Lincoln man who tried to rape a 65-year-old woman was given an indeterminate prison sentence with a minimum term of two years and eight months.

Christopher Marc Mettam of Newland Street West received his sentence today at the Lincoln Crown Court, after he pleaded guilty to the attempted rape of a grandmother.

The incident happened on June 30 on the Viking Way footpath in Bracebridge Heath.

Police tracked Mettam after they found his discarded white T-shirt in the area, which had the offender’s and the victim’s DNA on it.

Mettam was arrested and charged with attempted rape on August 6, and the case was sent to the Lincoln Crown Court later that month.

The man admitted to trying to rape the elderly woman at a hearing in October.

Mettam was given an open-ended sentence on November 5, and he can apply for bail after a minimum of two years and eight months in jail.

Authorities will then have to assess whether he is fit to be reintegrated in society.

DC Claire Coupland of Lincolnshire Police led the investigation and said: “We are pleased that a dangerous offender is off the streets.

“Hopefully this will give the victim some kind of closure, allowing her to move on with her life after such a traumatic experience.”

Source: Lincoln Crown Court, Lincolnshire Police