Man jailed for rape and kidnap after attacks on two women in SE1

28-year-old Wilfred Marodza, from Eastbourne, admitted multiple offences committed in quick succession against two women in July 2019.

He was sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday this week.

Marodza first struck when a 21-year-old woman, walking home on Great Dover Street, at around 2.37am on Saturday 20 July 2019, was approached from behind by an unknown man and marched to a nearby wooded area off Brockham Street.

She was then threatened and raped multiple times.

The victim managed to escape and, fearing for her life, ran to a nearby street. A passing motorist stopped and when challenged, Marodza claimed that he and the victim were having a domestic argument.

The victim, desperate to reach safety, got into the car and was taken to a local police station. However, she was so disorientated and traumatised that she then ran into a nearby fast food restaurant, where staff called police.

Just an hour later, a 25-year-old woman was waiting at a bus stop in Borough High Street and was approached by Marodza, who began speaking to her before offering himself as an escort to a nearby cab office.

As they walked along together, the woman was grabbed by Marodza and pulled into a side street where she was threatened and pushed to the ground. When she managed to scream, he fled the scene.

Officers from the Met's South Central Command Unit launched a investigation, which led to Marodza, who was in London on a work trip, being identified and arrested at his family's home address in Eastbourne that same day, Saturday 20 July.

He was charged on Wednesday 24 July and remanded in custody.

Mobile phone and CCTV evidence linked him to the offences and when interviewed, he answered 'no comment' throughout.

Following a Met police investigation, which was praised by His Honour Judge Seed QC for its sensitivity and care towards victims, Marodza pleaded guilty to four counts of rape in relation to the first victim and an additional count of kidnap; he admitted one count of kidnap and one count of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence against the second victim. His pleas were entered on Monday 2 September 2019 at Inner London Crown Court.

He also pleaded not guilty to one count of kidnap in relation to the first victim – this last count was left to lie on file.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Jonny Norman said: "I would like to recognise the dignity and courage of both women who were subjected to horrifying ordeals after having the dreadful misfortune of being targeted by Marodza.

"He is a dangerous predator who took sinister advantage of being in London to violently attack two women.

"Both were left in fear of their lives and he will now serve a substantial amount of time behind bars, where he can bring no further harm to women.

"I would like to thank the investigative team whose excellent policing work quickly led to Marodza's arrest. While recognising that this sentencing will not compensate for being violently attacked and a lifetime of dealing with the psychological impact of such an ordeal, I hope both women feel that justice has been done.

"I also urge victims of sexual offences to report what has happened to you. You will be listened to and our team of specially trained officers will offer every available support while enquiries are taking place."