Rapist struck four times in five days

A rapist who attacked four women in five days within a 200-yard radius in London was today sentenced to be held indefinitely at a mental hospital.

Marvin Griffiths, 20, attacked two shoppers, a French-born commuter and a care assistant.

Police believe there could be more victims who are too frightened to report their attack and today appealed to them to come forward.

The Old Bailey was told that Griffiths had been under psychiatric treatment and had been admitted to hospital three times. He launched his attacks near his Leyton home in May last year after his mother, with whom he lived, was herself admitted to hospital.

His first victim was a 30-year-old woman who was on her way home from a supermarket at 10.15pm when she became aware of Griffiths and broke into a run.

"When she got home and pressed the security buzzer she was surprised by him and fell on to the stairs injuring her ankle," said Michael Oliver, prosecuting. "She was petrified but her screams were heard by a number of people, including her father who was quickly on the scene but Griffiths ran off."

The second attack took place two nights later as a 41-year-old care assistant walking home from work noticed a man walking towards her. "When she was opening the outside gate of her home he surprised her. The victim ran to her front door but he grabbed her clothing and as she fumbled at the key in the lock she fell over the doorstep," said Mr Oliver.

Griffiths raped her and left her crying on the floor.

The following day another woman, aged 23, was returning from the shops in mid-afternoon when she was surprised by Griffiths who pushed her inside her front door.

Said Mr Oliver: "She was on the floor and used a mirror to try and attack him."

A neighbour intervened and Griffiths got away but was later identified by fingernail cuttings.

The final victim was a 22-year-old French woman on her way to work when she was attacked at 9.30am in the platform shelter of Leyton Midland station.

"She screamed and struggled and as another man entered the shelter Griffiths let her go leaving her half-naked with injuries to her thigh, back and shoulder," said Mr Oliver.

Griffiths pleaded guilty to rape, three charges of attempted rape and assault on a police doctor.