29-year-old Heilab Assefa has been handed 14 years behind bars.
He will also have to serve eight years on license.
Police say Assefa is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted the victim-survivor whilst she was outside his address.
Detective Sergeant Tim Walter, who led this case said: “Assefa is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted the victim-survivor whilst she was outside his address. This sentence sends a clear message to would-be offenders – the police will actively pursue and prosecute offenders using the full extent of the law.
“I would also like to commend the incredible work of DC Hannah Bates and PC Rose Mason. Without their outstanding detective ability and impressive skillsets, the evidence required to convict Assefa would not have been secured.”
“Violence against women and girls has a profound and long-lasting impact on those affected. Such violence affects local communities and impacts how safe people feel where they live, and how confident they are in their local police. Our job is to safeguard victims and secure justice for them. We will not stop in our mission to tackle violence against women and girls.”
Around midnight on the 18th of November 2023, officers responded to reports that a young woman had been assaulted on London Road.
Assefa had met the women for the first time earlier in the evening. However, only a few hours later he began a violent assault which he also filmed. He was arrested at the scene.
Specialist officers then worked to build a watertight case against Assefa, resulting in him being charged the day after the incident.
He was sent to trial at Croydon Crown Court, but due to the overwhelming evidence presented by officers he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault on Monday, the 3rd of June.
