A former trainee solicitor has pleaded guilty to rape and kidnap after attacking two women within hours of each other.

Wilfred Marodza, who was employed by London firm Cripps Pemberton Greenish, pleaded guilty at Inner London Crown Court to four counts of rape, one count of kidnap in relation to the second incident, and one count of committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Marodza pleaded not guilty to one count of kidnap in relation to the first incident.

According to a statement by the Metropolitan Police, a 21-year-old woman, who was walking home at 02:37 on 20 July, was approached from behind by Marodza and marched to a nearby wood. She was then threatened and raped multiple times.

The victim managed to escape and ‘fearing for her life’ ran to a nearby street. A passing motorist stopped and took her to a police station. Marodza told the motorist they had been having a domestic argument.

According to the same police statement, Marodza approached another woman an hour later who was waiting at a bus stop on Borough High Street. The victim was dragged into a side street but managed to scream and her assailant ran away.

Marodza was identified and arrested that same day and was charged on 24 July. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, the police discovered his work ID in a rucksack he left at the scene.

Nahid Mannan of the Crown Prosecution Service said: ‘This was a horrendous attack on two young lone women. The CPS takes crimes against women extremely seriously and I hope this conviction goes some way to provide the victims with a degree of closure.’

Gavin Tyler, managing partner at Cripps Pemberton Greenish, said: 'We are completely appalled to learn of Wilfred Marodza’s conviction for such shocking offences. We were informed by the police in July of the arrest and that he was remanded in custody but did not know anything about the details of the offences until today. Our thoughts, of course, are with the victims and their families.

'Although there were never any concerns raised internally regarding Mr Marodza, we are offering support for staff members who worked closely with him or who feel affected by the news for any other reason.'