A young Kiwi who made the mistake of choosing lawless London for a working holiday was raped and robbed in the shadow of Buckingham Palace after meeting three strangers on a nightbus home.
The 21 year-old New Zealander had missed the last tube train after enjoying an evening drinking with pals and in the early hours was taken to historic St. James’ Park by the three men.
She was subjected to a two-and-a-half hour rape ordeal by two of them who face lengthy prison sentences when they return to Southwark Crown Court on October 23.
Ismail Acar,(pictured), 21, of Millfield, Six Acres Estate, Finsbury Park, pleaded guilty to raping the victim three times, assault by penetration and robbing her of jewellery and a handbag containing cash, bank cards and an ipod on August 25, last year.
Jobless Callem Fearnehough, 21, also of Millfield, Six Acres Estate, denied, but was convicted by the jury of raping her twice and robbing her of the same items.
The third man, jobless Dimitri McKenzie-Saunders, 21, of Holloway Road, Upper Holloway was acquitted of three rape counts and robbery.
She attempted to escape her assailants, but was recaptured and the ordeal continued.
The attackers demanded her PIN number so they could empty her bank accounts, but Acar was foiled at a Charing Cross cashpoint, after the victim gave a bogus number.
A park security guard detained McKenzie-Saunders just before 5am and Acar and Fearnehough were arrested two hours later on Horse Guards Road after two PCSO’s identified them from a circulated description.
The victim was taken to a Haven centre where she received medical care and counselling from specially trained staff who guide victims of sexual assaults through the immediate aftermath of the trauma.
DS Ivon Beer, of Westminster’s Sapphire Unit – which was commended by the trial Judge - said: "This was a horrific attack on a woman who has shown great courage throughout this investigation and who was brave enough to come into court and give evidence against her attackers.
"We hope this conviction will reassure the victim in this case and the public that all allegations of rape are fully and comprehensively investigated, no matter what the background or circumstances of the incident."
Crown Prosecution Service lawyer Lesley Jones said: "I would like to pay tribute to the victim in this case who, despite the horrific ordeal she endured, felt brave enough to stand up in court and give evidence.”
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