‘Dangerous predator’ caught filming attack on London Road

A “dangerous predator” who filmed his sexual assault outside his Croydon home has been jailed for 14 years and four months.

Heilab Assefa, 29, of London Road, was tackled by police and arrested at the scene. He was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday.

At a hearing in June, in the face of overwhelming evidence from the prosecution, he pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, two counts of sexual assault by penetration and one count of sexual assault.

The court heard officers responded to reports that a young woman had been attacked on London Road at around midnight on November 18 last year.

Detective Sergeant Tim Walter led the investigation. He said: “Assefa is a dangerous sexual predator who attacked the victim-survivor while she was outside his address.

“This ruling sends a clear message to potential offenders: the police will actively pursue and prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”

“I would also like to praise the incredible work of DC Hannah Bates and PC Rose Mason. Without her outstanding detective skills and impressive skills, the evidence needed to convict Assefa would not have been secured.”

“Violence against women and girls has profound and lasting effects on those affected. Such violence impacts local communities, affecting how safe people feel where they live and how much trust they have in local police.

“Our job is to protect victims and provide them with justice. We will not give up on our mission to combat violence against women and girls.”

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