Tooting attempted rapist jailed for 22 years after being tracked all the way home on CCTV

He was given an extended sentence of 22 years for count one of attempted rape. Fourteen of those he will spend in custody. He will be considered for parole after serving two thirds of the 14 years.

He was also sentenced as follows:

• Count two of attempted rape – Ten years imprisonment
• Attempting to choke with intent – Nine years imprisonment
• Assault by penetration – Nine years imprisonment
• Three counts of sexual assault – Ten years imprisonment

All of these sentences are to run concurrently with the sentence for attempted rape.

During the trial, which started on Monday, February 17, the court heard that the victim, aged in her 20s, was heading home after a night out with friends.

She boarded the Night Tube where Argoub followed her. She was seen leaving Colliers Wood Tube station at around 3am on August 11 last year.

She walked along Colliers Wood High Street before entering a residential street. When she was most of the way down the street she noticed Argoub standing in the middle of the road behind her. She described him as smirking at her.

Suddenly, the suspect ran towards the victim, grabbed hold of her and dragged her into Wandle Park.

He grabbed her from behind with his arm around her neck, chocking her before attempting to rape her. He also sexually assaulted her.

Biting his hand, which was covering her mouth, the victim was able to escape and ran to a nearby block of flats until officers arrived a short time afterwards.

The victim was taken to hospital, where she had significant cuts and scratches to her body, and reddening to her neck. Her voice was hoarse from the strangulation and she struggled to speak.

A search was conducted for the suspect, with helicopter and dog support, but there was no trace of the defendant. Officers found a baseball cap with a ‘B’ logo on the front at the scene.

Officers from the Met’s South West Safeguarding Team began an investigation. The victim told officers that she was on her way home and had exited at Colliers Wood Underground station.

Officers began their CCTV trawl starting at the Underground station and found a man fitting Argoub’s description following and filming the victim as she got off the train. He was wearing the baseball cap found at the scene of the crime.

Twelve minutes later he is seen re-entering the station and is no longer wearing a baseball cap. He heads northbound and exits at Tooting Broadway Tube station and enters a property in Garratt Terrace, shortly after 4am, where he remained.

Back at the hospital, a nail clipping was taken from the victim. It was sent for forensic analysis and contained a partial DNA profile for Khaled Argoub.

He was arrested at 12.45am on August 24, 2019 and charged later that day.

Detective Constable Faye Castleman, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I am pleased that justice has been served and I hope that this sentence can bring some closure for them. The victim was immensely brave throughout the investigation and I highly commend her courage.

“This was an extensive investigation with numerous officers working together to locate the offender and highlights good proactive police work. This case also recognises the importance of forensics in helping to identify offenders.

“We take these cases very seriously and I would encourage anyone who has been through a similar experience to come forward and report it to us in confidence.”

Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to contact police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.