Renewed appeal following linked sexual assaults, E16

06 February 2013

Description

The most recent incident happened on 9 November 2012. A 26-year-old woman [Victim 3] was retuning home to her apartment in Seagull Lane E16 at 00.50hrs when she was followed into the apartment block by an Asian male.

As the woman was waiting for the lift she was grabbed from behind by this male and sexually assaulted. She confronted the male who told her to be quiet and was sexually assaulted for a second time. The woman pushed the male away from her and escaped into the lift, the Asian male did not follow.

The suspect is described as approximately 5ft 7ins and of medium build. He was wearing a black jacket.

The other two incidents happened in 2011 and were six months apart.

The first incident happened on 22 June 2011 at approximately 23:45hrs, a 51-year-old woman [Victim 1] was returning home to her apartment block in Seagull Lane E16 from the direction of Royal Victoria Dock DLR Station.

The woman used her key fob to enter the block when she noticed an Asian male trying to get through the door behind her. She confronted the man and asked him if he lived in the block.

The male became aggressive and grabbed the woman's arms before sexually assaulting her.

The victim screamed to get help; as she did so, the suspect left the block and ran off in the direction of the Royal Victoria Dock DLR station.

The suspect is described as about 5ft 9ins. He was smartly dressed wearing a black jacket and white shirt.

The second incident happened on 14 October 2011 at approximately 20:30hrs, a 22-year-old woman [Victim 2] was returning home to her apartment block in Western Gateway E16 from the direction of the Royal Victoria Dock DLR Station.

The woman used her key fob to gain access to the block. An Asian man is seen on CCTV from the concierge area of the apartments to 'tailgate' behind her into the lobby area.

The woman entered a lift and the man followed, pressing the button for the sixth floor. When the lift arrived at the sixth floor the man did not get out. The woman asked him if he lived in the block to which he said he was visiting a friend.

The man began to stare at the woman which made her feel very uncomfortable; he then reached out towards her and sexually assaulted her. The suspect told the victim he would kill her if she said anything to anyone.

The lift doors opened again at another floor where the victim ran out. The suspect followed her and grabbed her by the arms; he then sexually assaulted her for a second time.

The victim eventually managed to get away and raised the alarm with residents.

The suspect left the block and ran off in the direction of the Royal Victoria Dock DLR station.

He is described as a dark-skinned Asian man of large build. He was wearing a navy-blue fleece and dark jeans.

Officers from the Met's Sapphire Command are linking all three incidents.

Detectives are releasing further images of the man they want to speak to: he is of Asian appearance and is wearing dark coloured clothing and is captured in the foreground.

In the images there is a second man of Asian appearance who is wearing the grey top with a yellow and red logo is believed to be an associate of the first man - officers wish to trace him as a potential witness. These images show both men at approximately 20:35hrs on 14 October 2011.

Further images are today (6 February) being issued of the man inside an apartment block at approx 20:45hrs on 14 October 2011 and at approx 23:40hrs on 22 June 2011 at the DLR station Royal Victoria Dock.

DC Tina Dilworth of the Met's Sapphire Command said:

"The man responsible for these assaults must be stopped before he goes on to commit another offence. If you recognize either man shown in these images, please contact my team immediately."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sapphire team on 020 8345 9862. If you wish to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

+ On 25 October 2011 a 35-year-old man was arrested in connection with the enquiry. He was bailed and later released no further action.