Police hunt for gunpoint rapist

Police are hunting a violent rapist who pistol-whipped a woman and raped her on Clapham Common, police revealed today.

The 25-year-old victim was attacked as she walked along a well-lit path. The man also used his fists in what officers said was an extremely violent attack. The woman, who police described as a successful career woman in the media industry, has been left severely traumatised.

It is the second violent sex assault in the area in three months. Police are also hunting a serial rapist already linked to at least five attacks in Kent and Surrey and possibly two more in London.

After the latest attack, detectives from the Metropolitan Police sex crimes unit, Operation Sapphire, issued an e-fit of the powerfully-built gunman.

They warned women in the area to be on their guard as they fear he could strike again. His victim was on her way home from a friend's house at about 1am when she noticed a man 50 yards ahead of her as she walked along a path from Clapham Common Tube. He was apparently trying to tie his shoelaces. As she walked past, the man pulled out a handgun and demanded that she hand over her mobile phone and money.

Then he began to shout at her using "very abusive" language before dragging her off the path and behind a tree where he raped her. After the attack the man calmly walked towards the Tube station.

Detective Inspector Caroline Goode said: "All rapes are violent but this one was particularly so. The victim was hit over the head with the gun and beaten with the man's fists."

Police urge any witnesses, particularly two white men seen on the Common, to phone them on 020 8649 2788.

Scotland Yard said the man is black with dreadlocks, 5ft 7in and aged about 25.

He was clean-shaven and spoke with a south London accent but used Jamaican street talk. He was wearing a black nylon zip-up jacket. The attack took place on Tuesday 27 August. There is nothing at this stage to link him to previous attacks.