A man has been convicted of seven sexual assaults following a series of attacks on women in Brixton and Clapham.
Mehdi Midani, 28, of no fixed address, was found guilty of six counts today, 26 April, and admitted a seventh at Inner London Crown Court.
He was also found guilty of common assault and will be sentenced on 26 May.
Investigating officer detective constable Tony Carr said Midani had caused “enormous fear and distress” to the community as he carried out his attacks. Four were recorded in a single day.
“A public appeal was crucial to our investigation and led to information being provided that quickly led to Milani’s arrest,” he said.
“I would like to thank the local community for their support and help during our enquiry.”
The first of seven attacks in ten days was on Thursday, 22 October last year. Midani followed a 32-year-old woman along Trent Road, Brixton, before putting his hand up her dress. The victim reported the incident to local officers.
On Monday, 26 October Midani attacked two women one in Arodene Road off Brixton Hill and another in nearby Roseberry Road. CCTV footage shows him assaulting a 26-year-old woman attempting to enter her home.
On Wednesday, 28 October Midani targeted four women. The first was approaching her home along Southwell Road in Loughborough Junction, when Midani grabbed her. She screamed and he fled the scene.
Then a 29-year-old woman was grabbed close to her home in Doverfield Road, off Brixton Hill.
Later a 31-year-old woman on her way home was pushed by Midani into a nearby block of flats on Sudbourne Road, Brixton. She was sexually assaulted before he ran away.
In Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, Midani put his hand up a 32-year-old woman’s skirt.
On Saturday, 31 October, police were called to Edithna Street in Clapham after Midani touched a woman multiple times. She called for help and he fled.
As the incidents increased, officers launched a public appeal for help and information as well as collating CCTV and following many lines of enquiry.
Patrols in the area were stepped up and women were urged to be vigilant and take care.
The public appeal prompted many calls to the incident room and information was provided that led to Midani’s arrest on Monday, 2 November in the Brixton Hill area.
Three other men, aged 30, 34 and 32 who were arrested during the course of the investigation were released with no further action taken against them.
