Sex attacks and assaults against woman he’d just met lands attacker lengthy jail sentence

A man has been jailed for more than 14 years after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against the same woman.

Heilab Assefa, 29, of London Road, Croydon, was sentenced to 14 years and four months’ imprisonment, and eight years on licence on Tuesday at Croydon Crown Court for grievous bodily harm and offences of sexual assault.

At around midnight on November 18 last year, officers responded to reports that a young woman had been assaulted in London Road.

Assefa had met her 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.

He was charged the day after the incident and was sent to trial, but due to the overwhelming evidence against him, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault, on June 3.

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.

“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.”

Pictured top: Heilab Assefa (Picture: The Met)