Care home owner jailed for 15 years for rape

A care home owner who raped a young woman and threatened to deport her has been jailed for 15 years.

James Safo, 62, of Hayes Lane, Kenley, abused his power as the woman’s former boss in one of his care homes.

He repeatedly raped her and threatened to tell the Home Office she was an illegal immigrant if she went to the police.

Sentencing Safo at Croydon Crown Court today Judge Simon Pratt said: “The rapes and attempted rape were violent.

“This is one of the most serious cases of rape I have ever dealt with.”

Safo was the principal and owner of The Secretary College in Croydon and owned four care homes around Croydon and Surrey.

They are Alexandra House, in Addiscombe, Waratah House, in Sanderstead, The Warren in Croydon and Heathland in Dorking.

Safo was convicted of four counts of rape on October 21, one of attempted rape and another charge of serious sexual assault.