FRANCIS MUKENDI CONVICTED OF MULTIPLE SEX ATTACKS IN CAMDEN
A man has been convicted of multiple sexual assaults on women in the Camden area.After a six-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court, jurors found that Francis Mukendi, of Finsbury Park Road, committed offences against six women over a period of just over two years.
On March 22, he was found guilty of four counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault, and four counts of possessing a bladed article.
He is set to be sentenced at a later date.
The court heard that Mukendi's attacks occurred from September 21, 2017, to December 16, 2019, and followed a consistent pattern.
He targeted women late at night when they were alone, approaching them as they reached their doorsteps or in communal stairwells.
While women was distracted by retrieving their keys, Mukendi would approach from behind, sometimes with a weapon such as a hammer or a knife.
Once he either completed his assault or was interrupted, he would flee.
Following the initial assault, detectives from Central North BCU launched an investigation.
A breakthrough came in December 2020 when police released a CCTV image of the suspect.
Upon seeing his own image, Mukendi surrendered to police the next day.
A search of his home revealed clothing matching that seen in the CCTV footage.
Investigators also seized his laptop, which contained footage related to his activities and from which he had attempted unsuccessfully to delete videos of his first attack.
Additionally, a zombie knife and a lock knife, believed to be used during the assaults, were recovered.
Detective Constable Stacey Smith of Central North BCU described Mukendi as "an extremely dangerous offender who targeted these women as they walked home alone in the dark." She added, "He waited for the most opportune moments before making his attacks.
His actions have left these women traumatised." Officers urge any additional victims to come forward, either by referencing the police case (CAD1639/21MAR22) or through third-party support organisations.
