A late-night predator, who tried to rape a lone woman as she walked home in the early hours, has been locked-up.
Khaled Argoub, 21, followed the woman, aged in her 20's, from Colliers Wood Underground Station at 3.00am on August 11, last year.
He dragged her into Wandle Park with his arm around her neck, where the victim fought him off by biting his hand.
At Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court Argoub, of Garratt Terrace, Tooting was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment – with a minimum of 14 years in custody.
He was convicted of two counts of attempted rape; attempting to choke, with intent; assault by penetration and three counts of sexual assault.
The victim was heading home after a night out with friends and strolled along Colliers Wood High Street before turning into a residential road.
She noticed Argoub standing in the middle of the road behind her and described him as smirking at her.
Suddenly, he ran towards the victim, grabbed hold of her and dragged her into Wandle Park.
He held her from behind with his arm around her neck, chocking her before attempting to rape her.
He also sexually assaulted her.
Biting his hand, which was covering her mouth, the victim was able to escape and ran to a nearby block of flats until officers arrived a short time after.
The victim was taken to hospital where she had significant cuts and scratches to her body and reddening to her neck.
Her voice was hoarse from the strangulation and she struggled to speak.
A search was conducted for the suspect, with helicopter and dog support but there was no trace of him.
Officers found a baseball cap with a ‘B’ logo on the front at the scene.
Officers from the Metropolitan Police's South West Safeguarding Team began an investigation.
Officers began their CCTV trawl starting at the Underground station and found a man fitting Argoub’s description following and filming the victim as she got off the train.
He was wearing the baseball cap found at the scene of the crime.
Twelve minutes later he was seen re-entering the station and is no longer wearing a baseball cap.
He headed northbound and exited at Tooting Broadway tube station and entered a property on Garratt Terrace shortly after 4.00am, where he remained.
Back at the hospital, a nail clipping was taken from the victim.
It was sent for forensic analysis and contained a partial DNA profile for Argoub.
Detective Constable Faye Castleman said: “On behalf of the victim and her family, I am pleased that justice has been served and I hope that this sentence can bring some closure for them.
“The victim was immensely brave throughout the investigation and I highly commend her courage.
"This was an extensive investigation, with numerous officers working together to locate the offender and highlights good proactive police work.
“This case also recognises the importance of forensics in helping to identify offenders.
"We take these cases very seriously and I would encourage anyone who has been through a similar experience to come forward and report it to us in confidence."
Anyone who has been a victim of a sexual offence is urged to contact police on 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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