Pair jailed for sex attack after luring homeless woman back to their hotel

Two men who violently sexually assaulted and abused a homeless woman during a visit to London have been jailed.

During the early hours of November 12, 2018, Jake Johnson, 26, and Matthew Bibb, 32, left the hotel where they were staying in King Street, Hammersmith to buy some alcohol from a nearby 24-hour shop.

They encountered the victim in the street, who was homeless, and invited her to join them at the hotel to warm up and have a hot drink.

Given the weather was cold and wet, the victim gratefully accepted the offer. But once back in the room, Johnson and Bibb subjected her to a prolonged and violent sexual assault, before throwing her out.

In a distressed state, the victim fled and reported the incident to the hotel manager and her friends, who assisted in detaining the suspects at the hotel.

Police arrived and the suspects were arrested. Both initially denied that the victim had been in the hotel room or that they had assaulted her.

Johnson, of no fixed address and Bibb, 32, of Slingfield Road, Birmingham were both jailed for 11 years on Wednesday, last week, after they pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration at an earlier hearing.

Detective Constable Carrina Turner said: “Bibb and Johnson subjected the victim – a clearly vulnerable woman – to horrific, humiliating and degrading sexual abuse.

“I would like to commend the victim for her bravery and composure throughout this lengthy investigation.

“I know that she is understandably still suffering from the long-term effects of such a terrifying ordeal, but hope she can take some comfort in this result and the knowledge her actions have potentially prevented further offences.”

The pair were convicted following a complex investigation by officers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, using CCTV and forensic evidence, along with witness testimonies.

As a result of police efforts, Johnson and Bibb were each charged in June 2021 with two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of attempted rape.

Their trial started on November 21 at Isleworth Crown Court. Johnson and Bibb initially pleaded not guilty, but changed their pleas to guilty on the third day. The attempted rape charge was left on file.

Pictured top: Jake Johnson (left) and Matthew Bibb (Picture: The Met)