'Churchyard rapist struck twice'

Standard Reporter12 April 2012

Two women were subjected to terrifying sex ordeals after being marched into churchyards by a crack cocaine addict, the Old Bailey heard today.

The two attacks happened within hours of each other in west London last September, said Kate Bex, prosecuting.

Both women were grabbed from behind and a gun placed to their heads. The attacker threatened to kill them as he marched them from the street into a churchyard.

There they were searched for valuables and money for drugs before being sexually assaulted. The man beat up one victim and raped the second, leaving her naked, before escaping with only £10 from each woman.

Christopher Hodge, 33, from Harrow, denies seven offences. He also pleaded not guilty to robbery, using an imitation firearm, indecent assault and rape.

The first victim, a 21-year-old, was attacked in Hounslow as she walked home from work in the early hours. She was followed across the Great West Road and grabbed from behind as she went into a residential street.

"She was threatened that a bullet would be put in her if she made a noise," said Miss Bex. She was marched along the road and into the churchyard, where the man took her belongings.

The woman screamed as the man grabbed her clothes and he then punched her. He slapped her, making her fall to the ground and pulled off some of her clothing. He kicked her in the head as he fled. A few hours later, at 8.30am, a 22-year-old Polish woman was grabbed as she went to work in Chiswick.

The attacker followed her after she crossed the Hogarth roundabout and took a short cut through another churchyard.

He told her: "If you shout, I will kill you," Miss Bex said. Annoyed that she had only £10, the attacker then pulled her T-shirt over her head to act as a blindfold as he performed a sex act.She was stripped and gagged before being raped. Hodge was arrested in Hounslow High Street that day after a policeman recognised him from descriptions given by the women. The case continues.

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