An Algerian migrant who carried out a 10-day campaign of sexual attacks on lone women in south London has been jailed for eight years. Mehdi Midani, 28, who was in the UK illegally, preyed on eight women aged between 20 and 30 near tube stations in Clapham and Brixton, following them home and assaulting them on their doorsteps.
Four of the attacks occurred in a single four-hour period in October last year, prompting police to increase patrols in the area. Midani was convicted at Inner London Crown Court of six counts of sexual assault and one of common assault, and admitted a seventh sexual assault charge. He was also ordered to serve an extended two-year licence period after release, with Judge Nicholas Madge stating he posed a danger to the public.
The court heard that UK Border Agency had no record of Midani entering Britain, and he will be deported after serving his sentence. He refused to speak to police and did not give evidence at trial, but was identified through an identity parade and DNA evidence. In a pre-sentence report, he claimed he had been intoxicated on whisky, vodka and cocaine during the assaults.
Judge Madge described Midani as having “a sense of entitlement over women” and said he had “brought terror” to his victims. CCTV footage showed him stalking women for up to 20 minutes from busy areas to quiet residential streets. Six victims submitted impact statements, saying they were now afraid to go out alone after dark and had altered their social and work routines.
Detective Inspector Keith Braithwaite said Midani was arrested on 2 November after a member of the public recognised him from media-released CCTV and followed him until police arrived. Police linked him to two further sexual assaults and two incidents of indecent exposure, suggesting four additional potential victims.
