Police hunt serial sex attacker who follows victims into apartment blocks

 
Justin Davenport20 June 2013
WEST END FINAL

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This is the CCTV image of a man wanted by police for a series of sex attacks on women in east London.

Police released the pictures after a 25-year-old woman was assaulted as she returned to her apartment in Docklands. The man followed her through the front door of the building as she got home late at night and grabbed her as she waited for a lift.

Detectives are linking the incident at a block of flats in Western Gateway with four other attacks in the Canning Town area since June 2011.

On each occasion the suspect followed lone women walking home and “tailgated” them as they entered apartment blocks at night. In the first case, on June 22, a 51-year-old woman confronted him and asked if he lived there.

The man became aggressive and assaulted her before running off.

Dc Tina Dilworth, of the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “The man responsible for these assaults must be stopped before he goes on to commit another offence.

‘If you recognise the man shown in these images, please contact my team immediately.

“Also we would like to hear from any other women who live in this area who may have been assaulted by this man.

“I can understand why you may not have come forward, but if this has happened to you then you may have a vital piece of information that can help us stop him.”

The man is described as about 5ft 9in tall, with short black hair and stubble. In the latest incident on Wednesday June 12 he was wearing a dark zip-up coat and burgundy trousers.

Police believe the man either lives or works in the area.

Anyone with information is asked to call 020 8345 9862 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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