Sexual predator who filmed attack on woman outside his home is jailed for 14 years

Heilab Assefa (Met)
Heilab Assefa (Met)

A sexual predator has been jailed for a string of sexual offences against a woman outside his south London home.

Heilab Assefa, 29, of London Road, Croydon, filmed the attack but was tackled by police who arrested him at the scene.

He was sentenced to 14 years and four months' imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday.

He had pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault, at a hearing in June.

The court had heard that around midnight on 18 November 2023 officers were scrambled to reports that a young woman had been assaulted on London Road in Croydon.

Assefa had met the women 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 after forensics experts and detectives collected evidence.

Detective Sergeant Tim Walter said after the sentencing: “Assefa is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted the victim-survivor whilst she was outside his address.

“This sentence sends a clear message to would-be offenders - the police will actively pursue and prosecute offenders using the full extent of the law.

“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.”