A Croydon man has been sentenced to 14 years and four months in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against the same woman. Heilab Assefa, 29, of London Road, Croydon, was also handed an additional eight years on license at Croydon Crown Court on October 1 for grievous bodily harm and offences of sexual assault.
The conviction came after Met Police officers worked tirelessly, with multiple 24-hour shifts to secure the charges and bring the dangerous predator to justice.
Detective Sergeant Tim Walter, who led the case, described Assefa as a “dangerous sexual predator” who targeted the victim-survivor outside his address. He said, “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.” DS Walter also praised the work of Detective Constable Hannah Bates and Police Constable Rose Mason, saying their exceptional detective abilities were crucial in securing the evidence needed for Assefa’s conviction.
The incident occurred around midnight on November 18, 2023, when officers responded to reports that a young woman had been violently assaulted on London Road in Croydon. Assefa had met the victim for the first time earlier that evening, but only hours later, he subjected her to a brutal assault, which he also filmed. He was arrested at the scene.
Specialist officers then worked around the clock to build a robust case against Assefa, which led to charges being filed the day after the attack. During his trial, due to overwhelming evidence, Assefa pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm, two counts of sexual assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault on June 3, 2024.
The Met has stated that tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority across all units, from specialist teams to local neighbourhood officers. As part of their “New Met for London” initiative, the force is focusing on protecting women and children from violence and targeting predatory men who commit these crimes. The Met is also increasing efforts to support communities and restore public trust that has been damaged.
Detective Sergeant Walter added, “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.
For more information on reporting rape or sexual assault, you can visit the Met Police website. Always call 999 in an emergency.
