A “depraved” man has been found guilty of raping a woman in a west London park during a brutal two-hour attack in broad daylight.
Aqil Ali, 31, of Mornington Road, Greenford, dragged his victim, a woman in her late 40s, into a secluded spot when he asked her for a cigarette as she made her way to work on Saturday, March 5.
The woman was attacked for more than two hours after she told Ali she didn’t smoke.
Following the brutal assault, Ali stole money and fled the scene. The distressed woman raised the alarm at a nearby shop despite suffering from injuries.
Detectives launched an investigation and studied CCTV footage of Ali entering and leaving the park but his face was obscured by clothing.
Ali was arrested at his home two days later after DNA matched him to the crime. He was charged with multiple sex offences including rape, kidnapping, attempted rape and theft.
On Wednesday, he was found guilty at Isleworth Crown Court following a six-day trial. Sentencing will take place at the same court on Wednesday, October 12.
Detective Inspector Neil John of Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, paid tribute to the victim for her bravery following the verdict.
"I must firstly express my thanks and admiration for the victim. Despite all that she has endured she has had the courage to give evidence that has seen her attacker brought to justice."
"Be in no doubt, this was a truly horrific crime. Ali was brutal and vicious, and carried out a sustained attack on a woman who was innocently making her way to work.
“I am both pleased and relieved that he has been convicted and that he will now be made to face the consequences of his own cruelty and depravity."
