Elephant and Castle sex attacker is jailed for 13 years

A sex attacker who stalked a string of women through the night then attacked one has been jailed for 13 years.

William Gordon, 34, of Churchyard Row, Elephant & Castle, was sentenced via video link at the Old Bailey on Monday for four counts of assault by penetration, one count of sexual assault and two counts of common assault by beating.

The court heard that at approximately 12.20am on August 6 last year, Gordon followed the woman as she walked in Southwark along Larcom Street in the direction of Charleston Street, and sexually assaulted her for the first time.

The woman managed to get away, but Gordon chased her to Cotham Street where further sexual assaults took place in a residential area.

The court heard how throughout the attack the woman cried out and continued to try to escape from Gordon.

Her cries alerted people in nearby houses as to what was taking place, and Gordon fled the scene when people came out to assist.

Police from the Met’s Central South Command Unit immediately launched an investigation.

CCTV showed Gordon following three other lone women on the same evening before the attack.

Due to their concern, detectives quickly decided to ask the public and media for help and released an appeal with CCTV and a still photo of the suspect.

As a result of this, officers also found that Gordon had followed a fourth woman a week prior to carrying out this attack. A number of calls were also received naming Gordon as the suspect.

A man later found to be Gordon called one website stating that he was the man in the images, but had been eliminated from enquiries and so his photo should be removed. The phone that made these calls was later linked him.

Gordon was convicted of all the charges following a six-day trial at the same court on February 10.

Detective Inspector Sharon Steel, of the Safeguarding team from the Met’s Central South Command Unit, said: “William Gordon is a manipulative sexual predator who poses a serious danger to women. That night he was clearly targeting lone females before pursuing his victim through the streets and carrying out a sustained attack.

“Gordon then failed to acknowledge any wrongdoing and forced the victim and witnesses to relive the traumatic events of that night throughout the trial, during which he also disputed his previous convictions for sexual assault. However the jury saw through his lies and this dangerous offender has now been held to account.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the media and public for all their help in identifying Gordon – it was due to their response to our appeal that he was so quickly arrested.

“I would like to pay particular tribute to the bravery shown by the victim in this case. Her courage has helped make sure that Gordon has been brought to account and I hope that the sentence given today provides a sense of justice.”

Pictured top: William Gordon walking away from the scene of his attack