An Eltham man has been found guilty of raping and robbing a woman after dragging her into an alleyway during an attack in south-east London.

Melbourne Thompson, 41, targeted the victim as she walked to work in Catford, following her despite repeated attempts to avoid him, jurors heard.

The court heard Thompson punched the woman in the head and threatened her with what appeared to be a gun before covering her mouth and forcing her into an alleyway, where he raped her.

After the attack, he stole the woman's mobile phone and fled the scene.

The victim later boarded a bus on Brownhill Road and told the driver she had been robbed. Officers were called shortly before 7am on April 12 after she disclosed she had also been sexually assaulted.

Thompson was convicted of rape and robbery following a trial at the Old Bailey.

He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at the same court on December 4.

Detective Constable Charlie Lockett, who led the Metropolitan Police investigation, said: “I want to pay tribute to the victim-survivor for reporting this unimaginably distressing incident.

“My team and I are working tirelessly to tackle violence against women and girls through victim-led approaches that ensure survivors are supported by specialist officers throughout investigations.

“Thompson is a dangerous offender who targeted a lone woman as she walked to work early on a Sunday morning. I am pleased that the jury saw through his claim that he was not responsible for this appalling attack.

“The Met remains committed to investigating all reports of rape and serious sexual offences.

“Any victim-survivors who come forward will be treated with dignity, compassion and sensitivity at every step of the way.”

The victim was taken to a specialist Haven sexual assault referral centre where she continues to be supported by specialist officers.

Her stolen mobile phone was tracked to an area around 30 minutes’ walk from where the incident took place – and four minutes from Thompson’s home.

Thompson was a registered sex offender, convicted in 2005 of indecent assault on a woman two years earlier, and the attack in Catford matched his previous offending pattern.

A police officer, tasked with monitoring registered sex offenders and who had previously monitored Thompson after his conviction in 2005, was able to identify him from CCTV showing him with the victim.

Thompson was arrested on Tuesday, April 28 and charged to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 29, when he was remanded in custody.

Anyone with information or wishing to report offences relating to Thompson can call police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

For confidential help, the 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line offers free phone and online chat for anyone aged 16+ in England and Wales: 0808 500 2222 or visit 247sexualabusesupport.org.uk.