A predator who attacked and raped a woman in a south London park has been jailed.
David Joseph, 31, was jailed for 12 years at Inner London Crown Court over the attack in Burgess Park last year.
The court heard how he strangled the victim as he carried out the sick attack in the early hours of September 25, and rugby tackled her to the ground as she tried to run away.
Jurors heard how the woman bumped into Joseph close to the park where he struck up a conversation with her.
He insisted on drop-calling her phone so that she would have his number, which she did not save as she had no intention of calling him back.
She told Joseph, who was pushing a bike, that she needed to leave to get the bus and he said he was going the same way as her.
As they went through the park, Joseph continually asked her to stop for a drink. The victim kept refusing, before eventually agreeing to quickly stop.
They sat on a bench and Joseph tried to kiss her. She told him no and asked him not to do that.
He then held her hands behind her back and raped and sexually assaulted her, while the woman begged him to stop.
He strangled her while telling her “stop struggling” and “you’re a fighter aren’t you”, said police.
After the prolonged attack, Joseph stole her two mobile phones and bank card before riding off on his bike. The woman ran to the main road and sought help and was taken to hospital.
Police quickly identified Joseph from when he drop-called the woman’s mobile phone and arrested him the same day at a hostel in Southwark. He was found with the woman’s bank card and some cannabis.
He was convicted of rape, sexual assault, intentional strangulation, robbery and possession of cannabis at an earlier court hearing.
Met Detective Constable Olivia Broughton, who investigated the case, said: “Joseph is a dangerous, violent predator who carried out an atrocious, prolonged attack on a lone woman – who repeatedly begged him to stop.
“When the victim survivor bravely tried to fight back, he just used more violence on her to carry out his heinous crime.
“I’d like to commend the woman for the courage she has shown throughout the investigation and court process. Joseph is now behind bars and off the streets of London thanks to her coming forward.”
