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Serial rapist is suspected of further attacks

from Cathy (cathyvpreece@aol.com)

Serial rapist is suspected of further attacks

Oct 22 2002

South London Press

COPS have set up a hotline because they believe a serial rapist, convicted of four attacks, may have pounced on more women too terrified to come forward.

Emmanuel Ekezie, 36, of Hotspur Street, Kennington, is facing a life sentence after a five-year reign of terror.

After keeping the man's flat under surveillance for months, detectives believe more attacks could have gone unreported.

Ekezie was arrested three times after near-identical allegations were made against him, but each time was released without charge when cops swallowed his cover story.

But his cycle of abuse was brought to an end when a detective noticed links between the rape claims and put Ekezie's flat under video surveillance.

Even then, Ekezie managed to attack a student before officers swooped on his home and arrested him.

Judge Giles Forrester at the Old Bailey remanded him in custody for psychiatric reports but told the rapist: "These are four very serious offences. One of the factors I need to determine is the extent of the danger this man may pose to members of the public."

Busker Ekezie met his victims while playing drums at tourist spots in London, the court heard.

The court heard he exploited their love of music to get them back to his flat, put his stereo on full blast, then pounced.

He attacked a 13-year-old girl he met on the banks of the Thames in 1997, a 23-year-old he chatted to in Piccadilly Circus in 1998, and a 19-year-old student he met in Leicester Square in August last year.

A 29-year-old student was raped three times after chatting to the dreadlocked busker in Covent Garden on January 9.

Ekezie always stuck to his cover story in court, even claiming that each victim had come on so strongly that it was more accurate to say they had raped him.

He is due to be sentenced on November 15. Speaking after the case, Detective Inspector Tony Anderson, of Kennington Police, described the surveillance, saying: "We were made aware there were many callers to Ekezie's address and often they were young women.

"I think there is every likelihood that there are women who have been attacked and may have not reported it."

Anyone who thinks they may have been a victim should call 020-8649 2834.

(posted 7827 days ago)

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