A man who carried out a string of seven sexual assaults in ten days across Clapham and Brixton last autumn was convicted today.
Mehdi Midani, 28, of no fixed address, was found guilty of six counts of sexual assault on Tuesday, April 26, and admitted a seventh at Inner London Crown Court.
He was also found guilty of common assault and will be sentenced for all of the offences on Thursday, May 26.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Tony Carr, from the Met’s serious and complex case team, part of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command, said: “Midani caused enormous fear and distress to the local community as he carried out his spate of attacks, with four recorded in just one day.
“A public appeal was crucial to our investigation and led to information being provided that quickly led to Midani’s arrest.
“I would like to thank the local community for their support and help during our inquiry and hope they are reassured by the news that Midani has now been convicted and faces imprisonment.”
Midani first struck on Thursday, October 22 2015 when he followed a 32-year-old woman along Trent Road before placing his hand up her dress. The victim reported the incident to local officers.
On Monday October 26 Midani attacked two women — at 7:05pm he grabbed a 35-year-old woman from behind in Arodene Road, Clapham, as she walked home and at 8:15pm he approached a 26-year-old woman as she was about to enter her home nearby Roseberry Road and assaulted her before she was able to raise the alarm.
On Wednesday, 28 October Midani targeted four women.
At 7:20pm, a 28-year-old woman was approaching her home along Southwell Road, Brixton, when Midani grabbed her. She screamed and he fled the scene.
At 9:24pm, a 29-year-old woman was close to her home in Doverfield Road, Brixton, when she was grabbed by Midani. This was treated as a common assault.
At 10:20pm, a 31-year-old woman was heading home when she was pushed by Midani into a nearby block of flats along Sudbourne Road. She was sexually assaulted before he ran away.
At 11:30pm, a 32-year-old woman in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, was approached by behind before Midani put his hand up her skirt.
On Saturday, October 31 police were called shortly after 5:40pm to Edithna Street, SW8 — a woman had been approached from behind by Midani, who proceeded to touch her on the backside multiple times. The woman called for help and Midani fled.
As the number of incidents increased officers launched a public appeal for help and information as well as collating CCTV and following up many lines of enquiry.
Police in the area stepped up patrols in the area and public safety advice was issued, encouraging women to be vigilant and take care in the area.
The public appeal prompted many calls to the incident room and information being provided led to Midani’s arrest on Monday November 2 in the Brixton Hill area. He was subsequently charged.
Three other men, aged 30, 34 and 32, who were arrested during the course of the investigation were subsequently released with no further action taken against them.
Image courtesy of Ray Forster and Met Police, with thanks
