Former Artichoke landlord jailed after being found guilty of rape

Kevin Tweedy, who used to run The Artichoke in Magdalen Road was found guilty of rape and sexual assault.

The 66-year-old appeared at King's Lynn Crown Court for sentencing following a four-day trial at the same court in the summer.

During the trial, which opened on August 19 this year, the jury heard the assault happened after Tweedy invited the woman to his home after they had been drinking.

Tweedy lunged at the woman - who cannot be named for legal reasons - while they were sitting on the sofa, pinned her down and tried to kiss her.

The court heard he later raped the woman on the night of July 20, 2015 after he had been drinking.

She made it clear she did not want to have sex but Tweedy continued.

The sexual assault happened between January and March 2013.

Artichoke pub, Norwich (Image: Newsquest) Lori Tucker, prosecuting, said the offences have had a "considerable" psychological impact on the woman who has previously been the victim of serious offences of a sexual nature.

Jailing Tweedy for four years on Thursday (November 28), Recorder Justin Rouse said he had told the victim he was "going to give it to her" even though she had "begged you not to".

He said Tweedy had also committed a "deliberate and forceful sexual assault" on the victim who has suffered "very real psychological harm".

Recorder Rouse said: "The impact upon her was profound".

Kevin Tweedy attending court during the trial (Image: Newsquest)

Stephen Rose KC, mitigating, said Tweedy did not accept his guilt although understands that following the jury's verdict he "has to face the consequences".

He said Tweedy, of High Street, Loddon, was a man of previous good character who has "struggled with depression since his teenage years".

Mr Rose said the "issue of alcohol looms large in this case" and went some way to explaining why "this mature man of good character has acted in this way on two occasions in a way that is wholly out of character".

Kevin Tweedy (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)

Tweedy was made the subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly until further order.

He was also put on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Kevin Tweedy (Image: Supplied)