Man who ‘targeted and preyed on vulnerable women’ jailed for attempted rapes

Tahir pleaded guilty to both charges

A 25 year-old man was yesterday handed a 12 year prison sentence for attempting to rape two women in separate attacks last year.

Usman Tahir, of Ridley Road, “targeted and preyed” on vulnerable women as they walked home alone late at night.

Tahir approached one of his victims on Dalston Lane on 24 September. He ushered the woman into a nearby street, forced her to the floor and assaulted her. She managed to fight Tahir off and ran to a passerby, who called police.

Detectives examined CCTV footage and spotted a man running from the scene but were unable to see his face.

However they managed to match Tahir’s DNA with a sexual assault from four months earlier and remained unsolved.

On 24 May, an attacker had followed a woman in the E6 area, forced her to the ground and seriously assaulted her. As she struggled against him he punched her repeatedly in the face.

Police arrested Tahir in the early hours of 28 September as he returned home. He was wearing the same clothes as the man they had seen on CCTV running from the scene four days earlier.

He was later charged with two counts of attempted rape after his DNA matched samples taken from both victims.

Tahir pleaded guilty to both sentences on 17 December and was yesterday jailed at Snaresbrook Crown Court to 12 years.

DC Adam Knott of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: “Usman Tahir actively sought out, targeted and preyed on lone vulnerable females late at night for his own sexual gratification.

“I would like thank his two victims and acknowledge their courage throughout this investigation. Both were determined to attend court and see justice done.

Anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual assault should contact police.