Woman raped in 'initiation ceremony'

The attack happened in an alleyway

A woman was told by a rapist that the sex attack was part of an initiation ceremony, as he followed instructions on a mobile phone.

The man also bragged to the 19-year-old student, that he would be moving on to "bigger and better things", police have revealed.

The rapist attacked as she walked home along an alleyway in Chingford, north-east London, at about 2030 on 25 June, after hitting her across the back of the neck.

He held the woman prisoner for 90 minutes and talked repeatedly on the phone during the assault.

Detective Constable Andy Philips said: "Her attacker spoke to someone called Simon on his mobile phone and was told to rob his victim.

"He rifled through her bag and then told her to wait while he phoned back for more instructions.

Handgun found

"He then pushed her into the undergrowth where he raped her.

"He said this was his initiation ceremony."

Seven hours earlier on the same path between Cavendish Road and Empress Avenue, a 31-year-old woman was hit on the back of the head with a loaded handgun in front of her four-year-old son.

The attacker, who answers the same description, spoke to someone on his mobile before suddenly letting the woman go.

Police believe the assault was sexually motivated.

A handgun was later found in undergrowth.

The suspect was Asian, aged about 19, of slim build and 5ft 7in tall with short black hair, a London accent and was wearing tinted sunglasses.