(posted 7803 days ago)South London Press
NewsFour life sentences for rapist busker
Dec 7 2002A street musician has been jailed for life after raping three women.
A court heard that Emmanuel Ekezie attacked the women after he had initially been accused of assaulting a 13-year-old girl.
The Old Bailey heard he went on to rape the three women tourists that he had chatted up after authorities decided not to charge him in the case of the 13-year-old.
Old Bailey Judge Giles Forrester gave Ekezie four life sentences and told him he was a "dangerous rapist" who had now been brought to justice.
Ekezie had earlier told the court he maintained his innocence and his lawyers were "guilty of misconduct."
Judge Giles said Ekezie, 36, of Kennington, south London, had lured the victims to his flat using his charm - but had then changed in a way which terrified the women.
Police believe the drummer, who lured tourists to his flat from London's West End where he played African drums, may have been responsible for other rapes on women who have since returned home.
The court was told why the case of the first victim, a 13-year-old girl, were initially dropped.
Ann Curnow, QC, prosecuting, said her allegations and his outright denial were reported to senior police officers and the Crown Prosecution Service.
"It was decided, wisely or not, it is not for me to comment, that she had undoubtedly told untruths. It was a case of one against one and a realistic prospect of conviction was not there. The defendant would be told there would be no further action at this time," said Miss Curnow.
Ekezie was found guilty of raping the teenager in May 1997; a dancer from the United States in June 1998; a Lithuanian student in August 2001; and a Japanese student on a working holiday in London in January 2002.