A man who attacked and raped a woman in the street was this week sentenced to seven years in jail at Woolwich Crown Court.

24-year-old Steven Dunne from Peckham had pleaded guilty on the 5 March to one count of rape and one count of robbery following the attack on 10 November 2013.

The victim, a 27-year-old woman, was walking to work along Surrey Quays Road at around 6.45am.

As she made her way along the street, the victim realised she was being followed by Dunne, who was wearing a hooded top.

Dunne suddenly rushed at the woman and grabbed her, forcing her from the street into bushes where he orally raped her and robbed her of cash. He also threatened to kill her during the ordeal.

Dunne made off from the scene, threatening the victim that she should remain in the bushes until for five minutes after he had gone. Once she was sure Dunne had left the scene, the victim reported the incident to police.

The victim was supported after her ordeal by trained officers from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse (SOECA) Command and staff at Haven. Officers obtained DNA evidence which matched that of Steven Dunne.

Dunne was subsequently arrested on 15 November 2013 and charged the same day.

PC Carol Day said: “Steven Dunne committed a violent and terrifying rape on a woman walking to her workplace in the early hours of the morning.

“The victim in this case was traumatised by the attack, but with support has found the determination to see her attacker sent to prison for a long time.”

Detective Inspector Faye Churchyard  said: “The victim was subjected to the terrifying ordeal that all women fear, being attacked alone on a deserted street.

“She has seen justice today in the conviction of the man who attacked her.

“We hope this sends a strong message to all victims that they will be supported and that justice will prevail.

“There may be others Steven Dunne has attacked and I urge them to come forward and tell us what has happened to them.”