Trainee solicitor raped woman in park

A trainee solicitor who repeatedly raped a young woman in a park was caught by police after he left his work ID badge at the scene, a court heard.

Wilfred Marodza, 28, stalked the 21-year-old before grabbing her from behind and dragging her to a wooded area of Dickens Fields in Borough, southeast London, in the early hours of 20 July.

Zimbabwean Madoza stripped her and threatened her before repeatedly raping her.

The victim feared she would be killed throughout her lengthy ordeal but finally managed to flee naked, with Marodza pursuing behind, telling bystanders they were having a ‘domestic’.

She then got into the motorist’s car and was taken to a local police station.

An hour later Marodza, who had been drinking, targeted a 25-year-old woman waiting at a bus stop in Borough High Street.

The sex predator put his hand over her mouth and forcing her into Globe Street nearby but ran away when she screamed, Inner London Crown Court heard.

But Marodza, a trainee solicitor with firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish, was identified after he left his rucksack containing his work identification at the scene of the rape.

Marodza, of of Kingston Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, admitted four counts of rape against the first victim.

He also admitted kidnapping and committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence in respect of the second victim.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jonny Norman from the South Central Command Unit, said: ‘These two young women were subjected to ordeals that no person should ever have to endure. Marodza is a dangerous predator whose actions left both victims in fear of their lives.

‘Marodza will now, I hope, face a substantial amount of time behind bars, and I am sure London will be all the safer for it.

‘I would like to thank the investigative team who worked tirelessly to track and arrest Marodza.

‘Most importantly I would like to thank the victims, whose bravery and courage in supporting our investigation has been instrumental. I hope that, in time, this will allow them some form of closure and that they can begin to move on with their lives.’

Nahid Mannan, from the CPS, said: ‘This was a horrendous attack on two young lone females. The prosecution case included compelling evidence showing Marodza dragging the two victims to secluded areas and also chasing the naked victim he had just raped.

‘Marodza also left his rucksack containing his work identification at the scene of the rape, allowing police to easily identify him.

‘The CPS takes crimes against women extremely seriously and I hope this conviction goes some way to provide the victims with a degree of closure.’