A Sittingbourne sex offender has been sent to prison after being found guilty of raping a woman in a hotel room following a night out. Daniel Holdaway, 24, was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
Kent Police launched an investigation after a woman was assaulted in the Gravesend area on August 29, 2021. Holdaway had spent the evening with his victim before taking her to pre-booked accommodation.
Once in the hotel room, Holdaway ignored the woman’s repeated objections and raped her. While he slept, the victim managed to leave the premises and promptly reported the assault. Officers attended, conducted initial inquiries, and Holdaway was arrested on August 31, 2021. He was later charged with rape.
Holdaway, from Milton Regis, had pleaded not guilty. However, on Friday, May 30, 2025, a jury found him guilty. He was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison and will be subject to strict sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.
Detective Constable Daniel Burnett said:
‘I would like to praise the victim’s courage in coming forward to report this man, who showed her no respect by clearly ignoring her wishes. I hope it offers her some closure that he has been convicted and will be subject to strict requirements on his release. Predators such as Holdaway need to understand that no means no, and we will always strive to bring offenders before the courts where they can be made to face justice.’