Southwark man charged with 13 offences, including rape

Michael John Roberts, 39, unemployed, has been charged with a total of 13 offences including rape against of three women between 1988 and 1989 at their homes in Southwark.
Roberts was charged with section 18 GBH with intent, rape, burglary and robbery of a 57 year old woman on 26 December 1988 at her home address in Southwark.

He was also charged with the rape, indecent assault, burglary and robbery of a 77 year old woman on 11 September 1989 at her home address in Southwark.

Additionally he has been charged with the rape, anal rape, burglary, indecent Assault and robbery of a 66 year old woman on 7 October 1989 at her home address in Southwark.

Roberts is due to appear at Camberwell Green Magistrates Court on Monday 27 March.

These charges have been brought following an investigation by the Met's specialist crime directorate and the murder review group.

Police set up a linked investigation in 1989.

Despite the passage of time, a review of the case began in September 2000
and fresh forensic opportunities were identified. Although DNA evidence was
recovered from some crime scenes, technology did not exist to identify the
offender six years ago.
Led by fomer Detective Chief Inspector Brian Bowden-Brown, based at the
Murder Review Group, South, reviewing officers set about re-examination of
this evidence plus unidentified finger/palm marks, using the latest
techniques and technology.

A major part of the review involved the elimination of similar offences and
possible suspects throughout the UK.