A man who raped a woman known to him on two occasions in Poole has been jailed for seven years.

Stephen Dorris, 63, of Poole, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 11 August 2026 after being found guilty of two counts of rape following a trial.

The court heard that the offences took place at an address in Poole during September and November 2022. The victim, a woman in her 60s, reported the incidents to police in April 2023, prompting an investigation by detectives from BCP CID.

Dorris was arrested in June 2023 and interviewed by officers. Detectives examined both the victim’s and the defendant’s mobile phones as part of their enquiries before, following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, Dorris was charged with two counts of rape.

The court heard that Dorris, a British national who described his ethnicity as White British, was convicted after a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

In addition to the seven-year custodial sentence, the court imposed an indefinite restraining order.

Following the sentencing, Detective Constable Thomas Norman, of BCP CID, praised the victim for her courage in coming forward.

He said: “I would like to praise the victim in this case for coming forward and reporting what happened to her.

“Her bravery has ensured that a sexual offender has been put behind bars and will face the consequences of his actions.

“We will always thoroughly investigate a report of a sexual offence, even if it is not reported at the time when the incident occurred. We are here to support you and listen.”

Dorset Police is encouraging anyone who has been the victim of rape or sexual assault to report it. Victims can contact police by calling 101 and asking to speak to a specially trained officer, or dial 999 in an emergency. Support is also available through The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0800 970 9954.