An Eltham man has been found guilty of raping and robbing a woman after dragging her into an alleyway and threatening her with a gun.
Melbourne Thompson, 41, targeted the woman as she was walking to work in Catford, shouting at her to stop before following her despite her repeated attempts to avoid him. Thompson then punched the woman in the head and threatened her with a gun. When she tried to shout for help, he covered her mouth and dragged her into an alleyway, where he sexually assaulted her. He then fled the scene, stealing the woman's mobile phone from her jacket pocket.
Investigation and arrest
Following the attack, the woman boarded a bus on Brownhill Road in Catford and told the driver she had been robbed. Metropolitan Police officers were called shortly before 7am on Sunday, April 12, when the woman disclosed that she had also been sexually assaulted.
Thompson was found guilty of rape and robbery following a trial at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 9. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at the same court on Friday, December 4.
Police tribute and ongoing support
Detective Constable Charlie Lockett, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: “I want to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for reporting this unimaginably distressing incident.”
“My team and I are working tirelessly to tackle violence against women and girls through victim-led approaches that ensure survivors are supported by specialist officers throughout investigations.”
“Thompson is a dangerous offender who targeted a lone woman as she walked to work early on a Sunday morning. I am pleased that the jury saw through his claim that he was not responsible for this appalling attack.”
“The Met remains committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences.”
“Any victim-survivors who come forward will be treated with dignity, compassion and sensitivity at every step of the way.”
Evidence and further inquiries
The victim was taken to a specialist Haven sexual assault referral centre where she continues to be supported by specialist officers. Her stolen mobile phone was tracked to an area around 30 minutes’ walk from where the incident took place – and four minutes from Thompson’s home.
Thompson was a registered sex offender, convicted in 2005 of indecent assault on a woman two years earlier, and the attack in Catford matched his previous offending pattern. A police officer, tasked with monitoring registered sex offenders and who had previously monitored Thompson after his conviction in 2005, was able to identify him from CCTV showing him with the victim.
Thompson was arrested on Tuesday, April 28 and charged to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 29, when he was remanded in custody. Following this, officers have been working to identify whether Thompson could be responsible for other sexual assaults. While no offences have been identified so far, officers believe there may be more victim-survivors who are yet to come forward.
The Met is fully focused on continually improving the support provided to victim-survivors, helping to build trust and confidence by listening, learning and taking action. This means victims are put at the centre of investigations, while maintaining a suspect-focused and context-led approach to achieving the best possible outcomes.
Anyone with information or wishing to report offences relating to Thompson can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. For confidential help, the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line offers free phone and online chat for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.
