Trainee Solicitor Jailed For Sex Attacks On Two Lone Women Within An Hour

Caged: Monster Marodza

A trainee solicitor – dubbed a “dangerous predator” - has been caged for 14 years for sex attacks two lone women within an hour of each other while prowling the late-night streets.

Wilfred Marodza, 28, repeatedly raped a young woman, 21, he pounced on from behind in the early hours and attacked the second woman, 25, sixty minutes later.

Marodza, of Kingston Road, Eastbourne pleaded guilty to four counts of raping the first woman in Dickens Fields, Great Dover Street, Southwark on July 20.

He also pleaded guilty to kidnapping the second woman from a bus stop in nearby Borough High Street, plus an additional charge of kidnapping her, with intent to cause a sexual offence. 

He denied one count of kidnap in relation to the first victim and this was dropped by the prosecution.

Marodza was in the capital on a work trip, but was quickly traced to his family's home on the south coast.

Prosecutor Mr Edward Lucas told Inner London Crown Court: “The offences are incredibly serious, snatching strangers from the street.”

He said of Marodza, who has never been in trouble before and was employed by solicitors firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish : “The details are extremely serious, the most serious of this type of offence.” 

The first victim was walking home at 2.37am after a night out when she was approached from behind by Marodza, who was unknown to her and marched to a nearby wooded area.

She was then threatened and raped multiple times by the suspect.

The victim managed to escape and ran, fearing for her life, to a nearby street. 

A passing motorist stopped and the suspect claimed that they were having a domestic argument.

The victim got into the motorist's car and was taken to a local police station.

Marodza: Legal Career In Tatters

So traumatised and desperate to get to safety was she that she ran into an adjacent fast food restaurant, where staff called police.

Just an hour later, the second woman was waiting at a bus stop when Marodza approached her and began speaking to her offering to escort her to a nearby cab office.

The victim began walking with him before he grabbed her and pulled her into a side street, where he threatened the victim to do as she was told. 

He pushed her to the ground before the victim managed to scream and Marodza fled.

Officers from the South Central Command Unit launched an immediate investigation and Marodza was identified and arrested that same day.

He was charged and remanded in custody, where he remained until being sentenced. 

Mobile phone and CCTV evidence linked him to the offences and he answered ‘no comment’ during interviews for both offences.

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. 

“I would like to recognise the dignity and courage of both women, who were subjected to horrifying ordeals after having the dreadful misfortune of being targeted by Marodza.

“He is a dangerous predator, who took advantage of being in London to violently attack two women.

“Both were left in fear of their lives and he will now serve a substantial amount of time behind bars, where he can bring no further harm to women.

“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.”

Marodza had been determined to pursue a legal career and had been employed in the corporate transactions department with his latest employer.

He has previously been employed as a paralegal for firms in London and Kent and has a law degree from the University of Kent and attended BPP Law School.