Met secures justice for victim of rape using DNA and forensics

Two men have been jailed following a meticulous investigation by Met detectives after a woman was sexually assaulted in south London.

Convictions were secured after detectives traced the offenders through cigarettes which were left at the scene and DNA from the complainant.

This investigation comes as part of the Met’s commitment to tackling violence against women and girls. As officers and staff build A New Met for London, they are focused on supporting victim-survivors and targeting predatory offenders who threaten the safety of Londoners.

Adhamon Mebrahtu (10.08.01) of Norbury, Croydon was sentenced to five years in prison at Croydon Crown Court on Thursday, 25 April. He previously was found guilty of rape and sexual assault by penetration on Monday, 12 February. He also pleaded guilty to the theft of the victim-survivor's phone at a previous hearing.

On Wednesday, 27 November, Jamie Osman (01.02.01) of Thornton Heath, Croydon was sentenced at Croydon Crown Court to three years in prison following a retrial which took place in September 2024. He was convicted by a jury of sexual assault by penetration.

In November 2018, Mebrahtu and Osman followed the victim-survivor home after they met her on a tram in Croydon. They followed her and forced their way into the building in which she lived in Addiscombe, south London. They barged their way in and proceeded to sexually assaulted her in her own home.

The victim-survivor – who was 26 at the time of the offence – reported the rape to police and detectives began to investigate.

The team quickly identified that during the assault the two men left stubbed-out cigarettes in the victim-survivor’s bedroom, providing vital DNA which was used to identify them.

Mebrahtu was also forensically linked to the victim-survivor after a detailed forensic analysis was carried out by staff in the Met.

The defendants denied any interaction with the victim-survivor when interviewed but detectives analysed hours’ worth of CCTV to disprove their lies.

Specialist Met officers immediately supported the victim-survivor throughout the investigation and criminal justice process. They ensured she was offered help, care and advice, as well as being signposted to expert charities and support services.

Detective Constable Paul Harakis, who led the investigation, said “I would like to commend the bravery shown by the victim-survivor who has shown great courage and resilience throughout this difficult process.

“I’m proud we have been able to bring these dangerous offenders to justice and make London safer as a result. I hope they spend their time in jail to reflect on the devastating consequences of their abhorrent actions.

“Every woman and girl deserves to feel safe in the city they call home and we’re committed to continuing our mission to protect our communities from harm, eradicating sexual violence caused largely at the hands of predatory men.”

As part of A New Met for London, the Met is doing more to build trust and support London’s communities with issues that impact them the most. The Met is putting more people into the teams responsible for protecting the public from harm.

Listening to victim-survivors, and working together with charities and partners across the criminal justice system, officers are working to ensure that all victims-survivors have the confidence to report these awful crimes. 

Crimes of this nature can be reported online or on the telephone or in person to the police by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.  

If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, charities and support agencies can offer help and guidance:

• National Association for People Abused in Childhood NAPAC helpline: 0808 801 0331  
• Rape Crisis: 08085002222   
• Childline: 0800 1111  
• National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline 0808 802 9999    
• Survivors UK : 0203 598 3898, info@survivorsuk.org.   
• Samaritans : 116 123 jo@samaritans.org