A sex attacker who avoided justice for more than two decades after raping a pensioner has had his prison sentence reduced.  

Wendell Baker, 56, formerly of Upper Walthamstow Road in Walthamstow, was jailed in June 2013 for raping 66 year-old Hazel Backwell and locking her in a cupboard at her home in Stratford in 1997.

He was first prosecuted in 1999 but walked free when a judge dismissed DNA evidence.

Following a a change to the law, which allowed suspects to be tried more than once for the same offence, Wendell received a life sentence and was ordered to serve a minimum of 10 years and six months.

This has now been reduced by two years at the Court of Appeal.

Mr Justice Simon said: "He will, of course, only be released when it is safe to do so."

Wendell is said to have laughed in the face of police when they arrived to arrest him and even threatened to rape a female officer.

Baker subjected Ms Blackwell to a ‘prolonged and horrific' ordeal after breaking into her home.

She died in 2002 having not recovered from the attack, her family said.