Two men jailed for horrific sexual attack on woman in Croydon

In Croydon, south London, two men, Adhamon Mebrahtu and Jamie Osman, were convicted for a brutal sexual assault on a woman after following her home. The incident occurred after the victim met the two assailants while riding a tram. Upon arriving at her residence, the men forced their way in and subjected her to a harrowing sexual attack. Mebrahtu not only raped her but also stole her phone during the assault, which left the victim traumatized. The police investigation unfolded as the victim bravely reported the attack, allowing law enforcement to use forensic evidence, notably DNA from stubbed out cigarettes found at the crime scene, to identify and link the assailants to the crime. Detective Constable Paul Harakis praised the victim for her courage throughout the investigation and stressed the importance of bringing such offenders to justice. Mebrahtu was sentenced to five years in prison on April 25, having been found guilty of rape and sexual assault earlier that year, while Osman received a three-year sentence on November 20 after a retrial for sexual assault by penetration. This harrowing case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers women face and the need for ongoing efforts to combat violent crime, particularly against vulnerable individuals. The support provided to the victim by specialist officers was significant, highlighting the importance of a thorough and sensitive approach to such distressing incidents.