Sick Algerian thug sexually assaulted eight women in ten days MONTHS after arriving in UK

A SERIAL sex attacker who had only come to the UK from Algeria months before targeted young women walking home alone after dark in a wealthy suburb.

Mehdi Midani attacked eight young women in the south London suburbs of Clapham and Brixton in just 10 days last October, including one on Halloween.

The 28 year old followed some of his victims, all in their 20s or 30s, home as they walked alone at night before pouncing on their doorsteps.

Midani first struck on October 22 last year when he followed a 32 year old woman and reached up her dress, only running off when she shouted: "What the f*** I don't know you."

Four days later, he approached another woman, aged 35, as she was opening her front door and pushed his hand up between her legs through her tights.

Just over an hour later, CCTV captured him assaulting a 26 year old woman outside her home.

Prosecutor Charlotte Chirico, said: "The third victim was on the same day as the second victim at approximately 8pm, only an hour later.

"She approached her door in the Clapham North tube station area and this incident is slightly more brutal than the other two.

"She was grabbed aggressively in her vaginal area with both hands, then dragged to the floor.

"The defendant tried to kiss her allegedly and climbed on top of her and tried to kiss her and grab her further."

Two days later, Midani went on another spree where he targeted four separate women in one night.

He grabbed a 28 year old woman as she walked home along Southwell Road, Brixton, before she screamed and he fled.

An hour later, Midani pushed a 31 year old woman into a nearby block of flats and sexually assaulted her before fleeing.

Just over an hour later he attacked a 32 year old woman in Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, by putting his hand up her skirt.

Speaking about one of the four victims that night, Ms Chirico, said: "The defendant grabbed her buttocks and growled at her allegedly."

On Halloween, Midani approached another lone woman and slapped her bottom repeatedly, scarpering when the victim called for help.

Following a public appeal Midani, who had only been in Britain a few months after arriving via Ireland, was arrested on November 2 last year.

He was found guilty today at Inner London Crown Court of six sexual assaults following a week long trial.

He had already admitted a seventh count and was also found guilty of one count of common assault.

The Algerian was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced next month.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Tony Carr, of the Met's Serious and Complex Case Team, said: "Midani caused enormous fear and distress to the local community as he carried out his spate of attacks, with four recorded in just one day.

"A public appeal was crucial to our investigation and led to information being provided that quickly led to Midani's arrest.

"I would like to thank the local community for their support and help during our inquiry and hope they are reassured by the news that Midani has now been convicted and faces imprisonment."