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Rapist gets five life sentences Rapist gets five life sentences
(30 minutes later)
A man has received five life sentences for a string of rapes on women near their homes in east London.A man has received five life sentences for a string of rapes on women near their homes in east London.
Lester Ford, 24, attacked four women in or near their homes, then wrote descriptions of the sex acts he had forced them to do.Lester Ford, 24, attacked four women in or near their homes, then wrote descriptions of the sex acts he had forced them to do.
When he was arrested, soon after the fourth attack, police found a folder with details of his crimes.When he was arrested, soon after the fourth attack, police found a folder with details of his crimes.
Southwark Crown Court heard how Ford, of Pemell Close, Bethnal Green, London, had threatened to kill all his victims.Southwark Crown Court heard how Ford, of Pemell Close, Bethnal Green, London, had threatened to kill all his victims.
'Stunted development''Stunted development'
Ford had been seen peering through windows of houses near his east London residence.Ford had been seen peering through windows of houses near his east London residence.
He had raped two of his victims, including a 61-year-old woman.He had raped two of his victims, including a 61-year-old woman.
The court had heard Ford had "little chance of developing normally". Southwark Crown Court had heard Ford had "little chance of developing normally".
It was told he had been brought up in a brothel by a mother who had a "malign influence" over him.It was told he had been brought up in a brothel by a mother who had a "malign influence" over him.
Doctors who examined him likened him to a 14-year-old boy despite his age.Doctors who examined him likened him to a 14-year-old boy despite his age.
Ford had threatened his victims with a knife, and in one case an iron bar. Two of those attacked had allowed him into their home - on one occasion Ford had impersonated a police officer. Ford had threatened his victims -attacked between March 2003 and November 2005 - with a knife, and in one case an iron bar. Two of those attacked had allowed him into their home - on one occasion Ford had impersonated a police officer.
The victim, who had been working until early in the morning, heard a knock at the door and a male voice saying: "It's the police we've found someone round the back." The victim, who had been working until early in the morning, heard a knock at the door and a male voice saying: "It's the police, we've found someone round the back."
When she opened the door, Ford forced his way in and threatened her wife a knife. He sexually assaulted her and then fled when he heard a TV upstairs. Student raped
When she opened the door, Ford forced his way in and threatened her wife a knife. He sexually assaulted her and then fled when he heard a television upstairs.
The court heard another attack took place on a medical student leaving her house at 0530 to go horse-riding.
He held a knife to her throat and walked her to a nearby railway track, where he sexually assaulted her and forced her to carry out a sex act.
During another attack, Ford was scared off when the woman he had targeted screamed.
Judge Anthony Pitts said Ford only stopped his attack because the woman "screamed with all her might".
I could exhaust the dictionary's list of adjectives in describing these attacks Judge Anthony Pitts
The 61-year-old victim was attacked soon after. Ford knocked on her door and when she opened it he forced his way in, covering her mouth before sexually assaulting and raping her.
The court heard found DNA obtained by police during Ford's first attack matched that on his folder.
Ford pleaded guilty to 15 counts including two of rape, three of sexual assault, three of indecent assault as well as kidnapping and robbery.
Judge Pitts said he posed a "serious risk of harm to women" and passed five concurrent life sentences, setting a minimum term to be served at five years and 81 days.
"I could exhaust the dictionary's list of adjectives in describing these attacks - they were appalling, brutal, outrageous and terrifying," Judge Pitts said.
He said the victims had been left scarred for life and that the attacks "ruined their self-confidence and changed their personalities".