LONDON HOUSE-SITTER JAILED 20 YEARS FOR VIOLENT RAPES AFTER LURING WOMEN TO PROPERTIES
Edward Gabbai, a house-sitter living in Borehamwood, was convicted of raping two women at properties he was house-sitting in London in 2016.He lured his victims back to the addresses with the intent to commit sexual assault.
His first victim, aged 20, was met via the dating app Tinder and had a short-term relationship with Gabbai.
However, in March 2016, he enticed her to a Stoke Newington address and subjected her to a violent rape.
His second victim, aged 23, was approached in the street after a night out in December 2016.
Gabbai offered to share a minicab with her and took her to a Battersea address where he was house-sitting.
There, he raped her while filming himself in the act, displaying violent assault during the recording.
Gabbai was arrested shortly after the second incident and faced trial.
During the proceedings, he claimed that his victims consented to the violence and considered it role-playing.
Nevertheless, he was convicted of two counts of rape, one for each woman.
The jury acquitted him of two additional charges of rape related to the second victim and one more allegation.
On June 1, 2018, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison at Kingston Crown Court.
Detective Inspector Keith Ward praised the victims for their bravery and stated, 'This was a very difficult process for the victims who displayed considerable courage...
I hope this verdict today goes some way in helping them to move on from what was a harrowing ordeal.' Gabbai's actions, including filming the assaults, led to his conviction as a violent rapist.
The court described him as a 'depraved' sexual predator.
This case highlights the dangers of such offenders and the importance of justice for the victims.
