Hanwell rapist caught

21 year old sent down for 7 years for vicious attack

On Friday 11th June 2004 at around quarter to 11, a 15-year-old girl was grabbed whilst walking through an alleyway in Hanwell whilst on her way home. She was dragged across fields to a path near the River Brent and subjected to a violent sexual assault, by a man wielding a knife. She was initially reluctant to report the offence, but was later persuaded to give a full account of the traumatic events.

A through investigation was conducted by the Ealing Borough Police Sexual Offences Unit and Vitor Freitas, a 21 year old trainee chef from Copley Close, Hanwell, W7 was subsequently identified through DNA and arrested on 23rd August 2004.

Freitas appeared at Ealing Magistrates Court on the 24th August 2004 and remained in custody until he was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court recently.

Freitas pleaded �Guilty' and was sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court on 10.12.04 to 7 years imprisonment.

DS Mark Maberly, Ealing Borough Sapphire Unit, said, " This was a serious and vicious attack on a young vulnerable victim travelling home alone. The sentence reflects the serious nature of the offence and is a testament to the professionalism and support offered by the Bourough's Sapphire Unit. Frietas is a very dangerous individual who has now been removed from the streets of Ealing Borough for some considerable time and I hope this provides some comfort to the victim. "

January 3, 2005