Man guilty of two rapes committed four years apart

A man who raped two teenagers has been convicted following an investigation by specialist detectives from the Met.

On Tuesday, 12 November Himanshu Makwana, 42 (04.04.82) of Thurlby Road, Wembley, was found guilty of two counts of rape at Harrow Crown Court (sitting at Willesden Magistrates).

The two offences were carried out on separate occasions, four years apart, but both with strikingly similar circumstances.

In 2019, Makwana used a Snapchat account to communicate with his first victim, who was aged 18. After speaking for a few months, they decided to meet. He drove her to an empty office block, and once inside of the building, he raped her.

The offence was reported to police at the time and no suspect was identified.

In April 2023, Makwana again posed as a 19-year-old man on Snapchat and started speaking to his second victim, who had only recently turned 16.

Shortly afterwards, he parked on a street close to the victim’s school and waited for her, before asking for her help.

The victim agreed and helped Makwana carry some books. He then locked her in his car and identified himself as ‘Samir’ which was the fake identity he had used on Snapchat.

After supplying the victim with alcohol, he drove her to an empty commercial premises, where he raped her.

Detective Constable Lewis Jelley who led the investigation said: “Makwana posed as a young man on social media in order to prey on young girls. He carried out a horrific act on one woman and then did it again a few years later. I am delighted that the jury have found him guilty after a painstaking investigation.

“I want to thank the two brave young women who came forward and reported the offences to us and how patient they were with the investigation. Without their courage we would not be in the position we are today.

“This verdict shows how the Met is dedicated to tacking violence against women and girls. It does not matter how long ago an offence took place, we will work to secure a conviction.”

Makwana was arrested on 27 November 2023, the day after the second victim reported the incident, thanks to an image captured by a witness which showed Makwana’s car used in the incident. This enabled officers to locate the vehicle, and arrest Makwana.

Analysis of a DNA sample taken on his arrest identified him as the previously unknown suspect for the offence against the first victim in 2019.

He was then charged with the rapes of both victims on 22 December 2023, and remanded in custody ahead of trial.

Makwana will be sentenced at the same court on 17 January 2025.

A New Met for London is improving how we protect women and girls from violence, largely at the hands of predatory and abusive men. We encourage victims to come forward and help us put an end to this extreme violence - to report rape or sexual abuse, find out more: https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/how-to-report-rape-and-sexual-assault/