Following an investigation by Met detectives, a man who assaulted two women was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.
Mohammed Tarik, 21, of St Stephens Crescent, W2, was sentenced on Friday, July 8, at Southwark Crown Court.
He was sentenced to 20 and a half years in prison and must serve at least 16 and a half years before being eligible for parole.
Tarik previously pleaded guilty in February to three counts of rape, two counts of actual bodily harm, and one count of robbery in the same court.
On the evening of November 11, 2019, a woman reported being raped by a man near St Thomas’ Hospital in Lambeth. Detectives launched an investigation.
Tarik approached the woman in her forties and began following her. They eventually ended up on Royal Street, where he punched her before rapping her.
Tarik fled the scene after the attack, and the woman walked across the street to the hospital, where she received medical attention.
Police were called, and officers launched an urgent investigation to find the perpetrator. A crime scene was established, and several forensic samples were obtained.
These were compared to the national DNA database, but no matches were found. Detectives also reviewed CCTV footage from the area, but the suspect remained unidentified after the footage was released.
On 30 October 2021, police were called to the Hallfield Estate near Paddington after a woman was dragged down an alleyway and assaulted by Tarik.
A member of the public confronted him and reported him to the police. Tarik was arrested after officers arrived on the scene. Minor injuries were sustained by the woman.
Tarik was linked to the Lambeth rape two years earlier after a DNA sample was taken from him in custody.
Tarik was remanded in custody after the Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against him based on the overwhelming evidence against him.
The investigating officer, Detective Inspector Ian Kenward, stated, “Tarik is clearly a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk to the woman.” I am relieved that our investigation has resulted in him spending significant time behind bars.
I’d like to commend the two women involved in these cases, who both went through terrible and frightening experiences, and I hope this outcome brings them some closure.
This case exemplifies the Met’s dedication to combating violence against women and girls.” We recognise that more needs to be done in this area to ensure that everyone in London feels safe, but we will do everything we can to support victims and bring offenders to justice.
