A Kings College University student was the first v

A Kings College University student was the first victim
of a sex killer on the loose in the streets of Paddington, the Old
Bailey heard.

The tiny teenager was strangled until she passed out, raped
and left for dead in her hall of residence during a chilling murder
bid by Glasgow-born Colin Findlay, 33, it was alleged.

And just six weeks later he strangled a woman whose identity
remains a mystery, in a hotel room after having sex with her.

He left
her naked body under the bed where it was discovered by a horrified
chambermaid, said prosecutor Mr John Bevan.

Findlay met the student, 18, in a sandwich bar in Spring
Street, Paddington, on September 18 this year.

When the girl felt unwell and went outside to sit on the
pavement he offered to pay for a taxi and accompany her to her
friend’s home in Pimlico.

She was a keen amateur psychologist and ‘found people
interesting and liked to discuss their problems,’ said Mr Beven.

‘Her niavety was such she failed to understand that
conversation and persuasion were usless weapons against a man
bent on rape and prepared to kill to achieve it.

‘
The girl went to her friend’s house with Findlay and
they talked for several hours on subjects including sex, drugs,
and ironically ‘self-defence for girls as a protection for rape.

‘
She found Findlay ‘strange but intriguing’ and did not
feel threatened by him, said counsel.

When they left the friend’s home the teenager agreed
to go to a restaurant with him and during the meal he told her
that nine months earlier his girlfriend had died in a car smash
when he was at the wheel.

‘He was attempting to manipulate the situation with
a view presumably, to gaining her confidence and gaing entry
to her room,’ Mr Bevan continued.

‘He became upset in the restaurant.

She decided to
invite him back to her room.

‘
After another long chat at the Chelsea hall of
residence, Findlay ignored her hints that he should leave and
she was forced to tell him to go.

‘He put his hand on to the handle of the door.

The
next moment she found herself thrown back on to the bed with
both his knees either side of her hips straddling her and his
hands on her throat,’ said counsel.

As the woman screamed, tried to knee him in the
groin and scratch his eyes Findlay pulled the duvet over her
head and strangled her until she passed out, the court heard.

She was then raped as she lay comatose, the jury
heard.

When she came to the girl was scarcely able to breath
or talk and was too scared to open her eyes, fearing her attacker
was still in the room.

Mr Bevan said the girl knew Findlay had a scar on
his ankle and a distinctive tattoo and would easily be able to
recognise him.

Alleging that Findlay intended to murder the girl:
‘The only way to rape her without being caught was to prevent
her from giving her story.

‘
‘When he left her he may have thought she was dead
and she must have been close to it.

‘
The police were called after the distraught girl
told a friend what had happened.

Findlay’s fingerprints were found on a cup, cigarette
packet and photographs in the room and he was also matched to the
girl by DNA tests.

On Tuesday October 27, he booked into the Lancaster
Hall Hotel in Craven Terrace, Paddington, under a false name,
giving his address as Garvell Road, Glasgow.

He told the staff his sister-in-law was staying and
reserved a double room.

‘The defendant met and befriended another woman, took
her to his hotel room, had sexual intercourse with her and strangled
her to death,’ said Mr Bevan.

Findlay checked out the following morning offering to pay
with a credit card.

When there was a problem with the card Findlay said he
would go and get the cash, but disappeared.

That morning the chambermaid went to clear up his room
and found she could not move the bed.

‘To see what was was making the bed stick she looked
between the bed and the wall and saw an outstretched hand on the
floor,’ Mr Bevan continued.

‘When the police came the officer could see under the
bed the body of a naked women.

‘
Findlay who was of no fixed address denies rape,
attempted murder and murder.

The trial continues.

ENDS
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