19 January 2018
A man has been jailed for nine years for attempting to rape a woman as she walked through Rush Common in Brixton.
Gary Kerby, 47 (24.08.1970) of Sandemere Road, Lambeth was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court on Friday, 19 January.
He was convicted at the same court on 15 December 2017 following a four-day-trial.
He was also sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for sexual assault, five years for robbery and six years for causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity. All terms of imprisonment are to be served concurrently.
The court heard that, at around 22:30hrs on 11 July 2017, the victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was walking through Rush Common off Dray Gardens, Brixton SW2.
When she was halfway through the common she noticed the shadow of the approaching Kerby.
Kerby asked her if she had any money and she told him that she did not carry cash. He then grabbed hold of one of her arms and pulled her onto a bench and told her that she had to perform a sexual act on him.
The whole time, Kerby was saying to her: “If you don’t do what I tell you I will stab you.”
She tried to call out and he put his hands around her neck and pushed his thumbs into her neck; he then attempted to rape her.
Thankfully a man walking through the park disturbed the attack. The witness was walking along the same path where the attack was taking place. Noticing the man, Kerby stopped what he was doing and threatened to stab him.
The witness stayed where he was and did not move from the scene.
At this point Kerby told the victim he would let her go if she gave him her bank card. The victim gave him her bank and Oyster cards and she fled.
The victim reported the attack to police and the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command (CASO) launched an immediate investigation.
Kerby was quickly identified as a suspect and was arrested at Sandmere Road, Lambeth on 13 July 2017.
A search of the address recovered the victim’s bank card.
That same day Kerby was charged as above.
The good Samaritan who came across the attack in the park has never been traced.
Detective Inspector Simon Dowling of CASO said: “Kerby is a violent, dangerous, sexual predator and probably the only reason he did not carry out other offences was the appearance of a member of the public, who disturbed the attack.
“Thankfully the victim was able to get away and tell police about her ordeal.
“Kerby was quickly identified as a suspect and soon arrested. He now faces a long custodial sentence and I am sure London will be a safer place for it.”
http://news.met.police.uk/news/man-jailed-for-attempted-rape-290576
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