A dangerous man who kidnapped and raped a lone woman as she walked home, and then made her wash in a canal, has been jailed.
Desmond Atumkeze, 23, of Battery Road, Greenwich, was sentenced to 15 years and two months’ imprisonment, with a further three years on extended licence, at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, June 11.
He pleaded guilty at the same court on Thursday, March 19 to two counts of rape and one count of kidnap.
The court heard that at about 8.45pm on November 8, 2019, the 30-year-old victim was walking through a basketball court in Gallion’s Park when she heard footsteps behind her.
As she exited the basketball court, an unknown man put something into the small of her back and said: “I’ve got a gun. I’m going to kill you.”
The man stayed behind the victim and walked her to a concrete clearing next to a drained canal, which has no street lighting, near Warepoint Drive.
The man, who was wearing a ski mask, then forced the victim to remove all her clothing before raping her.
During the ordeal, the suspect made comments such as ‘I’m local’ and “I know your face, I know where you live.”
He kept asking the victim questions including if she had a boyfriend and who she lived with. The victim tried to remain calm and comply because she was afraid for her life due to the threat of a gun and the suspect telling her that he knew where she lived.
Following the assault, the suspect made the victim walk to the canal bank while still naked and instructed her to wash for 10 minutes in a large puddle, which she did in the freezing cold temperature.
The suspect then allowed the victim to get dressed while he went through her handbag, taking her headphones and mobile phone – forcing her to put her password in.
The suspect the walked the victim back to the basketball court. She started to walk away and when she was sure the suspect had gone, she returned home and called the police.
Results from forensic testing identified Atumkeze as a suspect and he was arrested. Despite telling police a series of lies, he was charged with two counts of rape and one count of kidnap.
https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/dangerous-greenwich-rapist-told-victim-18406375