15/12/2010

Reward Offered In Serial Sex Attacker Case

Detectives are appealing for information and witnesses following a linked series of three sexual assaults in the Tooting area of London between August 2007 and May 2010.

A substantial reward of up to £10,000 is available for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the person responsible for these offences.

The first assault happened on 9 August 2007 at just after midnight when a 52 year old woman was attacked walking along Routh Road, in south west London.

The second known assault took place on 23 January 2009 on a 30 year old woman in Turner Avenue, Mitcham.

The third attack that has been linked to the same suspect took place on Sunday 16 May 2010 when a 41 year old woman was walking along Ashbourne Road in Figges Marsh, Mitcham.

On each occasion the suspect approached the victim and tried to engage them in casual conversation, asking for a light for a cigarette or to share food before dragging them off into a secluded spot and committing the assaults. All of the offences have different elements to them but the suspect can, afterwards, be unusually friendly to the victim by asking if they would like a cigarette or if he can take their telephone number.

During the offence in Ashbourne Road in May this year, there were a number of people around the area that night. Police are very keen to speak to anyone who may have information.

The most significant identifying aspect of the suspect is that he has a pronounced limp. From his left leg from the knee downwards he kicks and flicks his leg out. Detectives have been working closely with a specialist - a podiatrist - who has given some very helpful information about what causes this man to limp. He has told us that this is likely to be a permanent condition and it may well be that he has one leg shorter than the other as a result of a growth problem or that he has suffered a serious injury which has resulted in this distinctive walking style.

All of the attacks took place in a very small area of Tooting, less than one and a half square miles so it is believed that the suspect must have local knowledge.

Local enquiries have also revealed that the suspect may come from the area's Tamil community.

(BMcN/GK)

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