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Serial sex attacker facing jail Life sentence for serial rapist
(about 4 hours later)
A serial sex attacker who preyed on women in south west London over a six year period is to be sentenced later. A serial sex attacker who targeted women in south-west London over a six-year period has been jailed for life.
The Metropolitan Police have apologised for failings in the inquiry to track down 44-year-old Kirk Reid. Kirk Reid, 44, was convicted at Kingston Crown Court of two rapes and 24 sexual assaults and must serve at least seven-and-a-half years.
Reid was convicted of two rapes and 24 sexual assaults and will be sentenced at Kingston Crown Court.
Police also believe the former chef from Cavendish Road, Balham, was responsible for a further 71 attacks on women who were walking alone at night.Police also believe the former chef from Cavendish Road, Balham, was responsible for a further 71 attacks on women who were walking alone at night.
Reid was charged with attacks which took place in the Balham, Clapham and Tooting areas between August 2001 and October 2007. The Metropolitan Police have apologised for failings in the inquiry.
The judge described Reid as a very dangerous man who had carried out "utterly terrifying, humiliating and degrading offences".
Reid carried out his attacks in the Balham, Clapham and Tooting areas between August 2001 and October 2007.
Although identified as a suspect in February 2004, he was not arrested until four years later.Although identified as a suspect in February 2004, he was not arrested until four years later.
DNA was recovered from two of his victims but Reid was not tested.DNA was recovered from two of his victims but Reid was not tested.
Trial judge Shani Barnes praised officers who caught him, but criticised "years of inadequate work" for allowing him to go undetected.Trial judge Shani Barnes praised officers who caught him, but criticised "years of inadequate work" for allowing him to go undetected.
He was finally caught when responsibility for the investigation moved from the Wandsworth borough sex crime unit, known as Sapphire, to the Met's homicide and serious crime command.He was finally caught when responsibility for the investigation moved from the Wandsworth borough sex crime unit, known as Sapphire, to the Met's homicide and serious crime command.
His case is currently the subject of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.His case is currently the subject of an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
Reid, who worked as head chef at Camberwell College, was described by one detective as "an extremely dangerous man".Reid, who worked as head chef at Camberwell College, was described by one detective as "an extremely dangerous man".