“Sexual predator” convicted of repeated sex assaults in Elephant & Castle on woman who fought back

Police have praised the bravery of a sex attack victim after she was repeatedly beaten as she tried to fight him off.

William Gordon, 34, of Churchyard Row, Elephant & Castle, was on Monday dubbed a “manipulative sexual predator” after being convicted of sexually assaulting the woman in Southwark, within a short walk of his home.

He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault, four counts of assault by penetration and two counts of common assault by beating, following a six-day trial at the Old Bailey.

He will be sentenced on a date to be confirmed.

The court heard that at about 12.15am on Tuesday, 6 August 2019, Gordon followed the victim as she walked along Larcom Street to Charleston Street, about half a mile from his home, and sexually assaulted her for the first time.

The victim managed to get away and Gordon chased her to Cotham Street where further assaults took place.

The court heard how throughout the attack the victim called out and continued to try and fight Gordon off.

Her cries alerted people in nearby houses to what was taking place and the police were called. Gordon fled the scene.

A media appeal prompted a number of calls that identified Gordon.

He was arrested on Tuesday, 20 August 2019 and denied any involvement in the attack.

Detectives discovered that Gordon had followed three other lone women that same night in the lead up to the incident. Officers also found that Gordon had followed a woman a week prior to carrying out this attack.

Detective Inspector Sharon Steel of the Central South Command Unit, said: “At every opportunity Gordon has failed to acknowledge any wrong-doing and has instead chosen to put both the victim and witnesses in this case through a full trial.

“William Gordon is a manipulative sexual predator who poses a serious danger to women and today the jury have rightfully convicted him. That night he was clearly targeting lone women before he carried out this prolonged attack.

“I would especially like to commend the bravery of the victim in this case, she has helped to make sure that this dangerous offender has been rightfully convicted on all seven counts.”