A Beckenham man who robbed and raped a woman after luring her into a secluded area has been sentenced to a total of nine years in prison, with an additional seven-year extended licence period.
Hussein Roble, 26, targeted a lone, visibly drunk woman as she left the Earl of Chatham pub in Woolwich in the early hours of November 18 last year. Over the span of just over an hour, Roble sexually assaulted, robbed, strangled, and raped the victim.
Prosecutor Michael Hillman told Woolwich Crown Court that Roble first led the woman to an underground car park, where he partially undressed and sexually assaulted her. When she walked away, Roble followed, grabbed her by the throat, and took her phone.
The woman chased after him and pleaded for her phone back. Roble then scaled a fence and led her into the communal stairwell of a block of flats. There, he told her she could not have her phone back or leave unless she complied with his demands. After raping her, Roble returned the phone, at which point the woman fled and contacted police.
Roble, who has a long history of violence, including convictions for Class A drug dealing and domestic violence, was previously charged with but cleared of the 2015 murder of Ahmed Ahmed in Plumstead. Police were able to identify Roble by matching his handprints left in the stairwell to those on record, leading to his arrest in April.
Roble initially denied the allegations but later pleaded guilty to charges of rape, sexual assault, and robbery.
At the sentencing on Monday (September 30), George Wills, defending Roble, claimed his client is “genuinely remorseful” and aware of his need to change. Wills also disputed claims that Roble is affiliated with a gang, despite a report by a probation officer suggesting such connections.
Judge David Miller, in sentencing, said Roble had “targeted an obviously vulnerable lone woman” who was intoxicated and alone on the semi-deserted streets of Woolwich. Judge Miller noted that Roble is “undoubtedly” a dangerous offender who poses a risk to women.
Roble was handed an extended sentence, which means he must serve at least two-thirds of his nine-year prison term before being considered for release. The sentence also includes a seven-year extended licence period.
Roble, of Beckenham Road, Beckenham, will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life.
