Man convicted of rape and robbery in Catford as detectives appeal for victim-survivors

A man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Catford, as detectives appeal for further potential victim-survivors to come forward.

Melbourne Thompson, 41 (10.02.1985), of Hengist Road, Eltham, was convicted of rape, and robbery at the Old Bailey on Friday, 9 October. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced at the same court on Friday, 4 December.

It follows an extensive Met investigation, which was launched after police were called at 06:55hrs on Sunday, 12 April by a bus driver. He reported that a woman had boarded his bus on Brownhill Road, Catford, and initially disclosed that she had been the victim of a robbery.

The woman told officers that she had been on her way to work when she was followed by an unknown man. He had shouted at her to stop then continued following her, despite her telling him that she did not want to speak to him.

He punched her to the head and threatened he had a gun. When she tried to shout for help he covered her mouth and dragged her into a side alleyway off Minard Road, where he orally raped her. Following the ordeal, he stole her phone from her jacket pocket.

The victim-survivor was taken to a specialist Haven sexual assault referral centre. She continues to be supported by specialist officers.

Her stolen mobile phone was tracked to an area around 30 minutes’ walk from where the incident took place – and four minutes from Thompson’s home.

Thompson was a registered sex offender, convicted in 2005 of indecent assault on a woman two years earlier, and the attack in Catford matched his previous offending pattern.

A police officer, tasked with monitoring registered sex offenders and who had previously monitored Thompson after his conviction in 2005, was able to identify him from CCTV showing him with the victim.

Thompson was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April and charged to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 29 April, when he was remanded in custody.

Following this, officers have been working to identify whether Thompson could be responsible for other sexual assaults.

While no offences have been identified so far, officers believe there may be more victim-survivors who are yet to come forward.

Detective Constable Charlie Lockett, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said:

“I want to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for reporting this unimaginably distressing incident.

“My team and I are working tirelessly to tackle violence against women and girls through victim-led approaches that ensure survivors are supported by specialist officers throughout investigations.

“Thompson is a dangerous offender who targeted a lone woman as she walked to work early on a Sunday morning. I am pleased that the jury saw through his claim that he was not responsible for this appalling attack.

“The Met remains committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences.

“Any victim-survivors who come forward will be treated with dignity, compassion and sensitivity at every step of the way.”

The Met is fully focused on continually improving the support provided to victim-survivors, helping to build trust and confidence by listening, learning and taking action.

This means victim-survivors are put at the centre of investigations, while maintaining a suspect-focused and context-led approach to achieving the best possible outcomes.

Anyone with information or wishing to report offences relating to Thompson can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For confidential help, the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line offers free phone and online chat for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.