Man admits series of rape attacks

Petros Anthia has 21 previous convictions in Cyprus

A builder has admitted carrying out a year-long campaign of rapes and attacks on women in North London and Herts.

Petros Anthia, 35, of West Green Road, Tottenham, north London, lay in wait for victims before pouncing on them.

He initially denied 10 charges of rape against six women, before changing his plea to guilty at St Albans Crown Court on Tuesday.

Anthia had already admitted causing actual bodily harm to three women and will be sentenced on Wednesday.

Between January 2003 and April 2004 he targeted six victims in London and three in Herts, often stalking behind the woman before dragging her off the street.

In one attack, he lifted the victim off the ground before carrying her into a nearby park and raping her.

After he changed his plea, the court was told he had 21 previous convictions for burglary and assault in his native Cyprus.

'Higher Satanic power'

One of the previous assaults was sexual and involved him clambering into bed with the wife of a friend.

He told the terrified woman: "I am under the influence of higher satanic power. I believe there is witchcraft within me."

After his release from prison in Cyprus he arrived in Britain in 1997/8 where he started work as a self-employed builder.

Det Insp Andy Geneux said officers had worked tirelessly to gather scientific evidence against Anthia.

The women did not consent - some escaped, some were raped and brutalised and beaten and must have been terrified and some are still deeply affected by this Miranda Moore, prosecuting

This included metallic samples from his clothing and similar samples from the victims' clothing which were then used to link him to the assaults.

It was believed to be the first time this type of evidence had been used in court.

Miranda Moore, prosecuting, said: "The women did not consent - some escaped, some were raped and brutalised and beaten and must have been terrified and some are still deeply affected by this."

Ms Moore said the first victim was a 22-year-old woman who was dragged down Rectory Farm Lane in Enfield on 16 January 2003.

She heard footsteps behind her and was grabbed round the neck from behind and then she was raped.

"It was a vicious and violent rape," said Miss Moore.

The second victim, a 19-year-old, was attacked at 0400 BST on 5 May 2003 in Chase Road, London.

On 13 December 2003 a 35-year-old woman was attacked in Waterfall Road, Arnos Grove, London at 0120 BST. She was dragged into Arnos Park and raped.

At 2320 BST on 11 January 2004 a 23-year-old woman was grabbed in Bourne Hill, Winchmore Hill, London, and attacked.

Nine days later a 24-year-old woman was grabbed at 2320 BST, again in Waterfall Road and assaulted.

Woman flagged down car

Just after midnight on 29 January 2004 a 27-year-old woman was raped twice, also in Waterfall Road - which is more than three miles from Anthia's home.

Anthia's next victims were in Hertfordshire.

A 19-year-old woman was raped twice on a golf course in the Chequers area of Hatfield after being dragged off a road at 0100 BST on 1 April 2004.

At about midnight on 3 April 2004 a 20-year-old woman was raped twice in the Bernards Heath in St Albans.

On 25 April 2004 Anthia carried out his last attack at 1140 BST on a 19-year-old woman who was grabbed and punched in the face in Hertford Road, Hatfield.

She managed to flee into the road and flag down a passing motorist.