Rapist tied up woman with phone cord after forcing his way into flat

‘Without a friend coming to the property not long after her horrific ordeal she could have been left there for hours,’ says detective

Temesgen Desta, 32, has been convicted of rape, intent to commit rape and two counts of false imprisonment after attacks on two women in Birmingham and Merseyside on 14 and 15 March 2019. (West Midlands Police)

A rapist who tied his victim up with a phone cable after forcing his way into a flat has been convicted of rape.

Temesgen Desta, 32, grabbed his victim by the throat to stop her screaming for help and hit her, causing her to fall, during the attack at a property in Birmingham city centre in the early hours of 15 March.

He raped the 32-year-old victim before tying her to a chair with a phone cable and blocking the bedroom door as he fled.

Police were already hunting for Desta following the attempted sexual assault of a 54-year-old woman at Crosby beach, in Merseyside, the previous afternoon.

The woman was left with marks around her neck after she too was grabbed by her throat.

Desta was traced to Scotland after being recognised by ports officers and arrested on 21 March.

The 32-year-old, of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury of rape, intent to commit rape and two counts of false imprisonment following a trial at Birmingham Crown Court this week.

He will be sentenced on 17 October.

Detective Superintendent Nick Walton, of West Midlands police, said: “These were violent sex attacks which were traumatic and distressing for both women who were unknown to Desta.

“On both occasions he grabbed them by the throat and his victims would have undoubtedly feared for their lives.

“Just hours after his attack in Liverpool he travelled to Birmingham and targeted a woman in her apartment.

“She was raped and then left tied up and unable to move.

“Without a friend coming to the property not long after her horrific ordeal she could have been left there for hours.

“Undoubtedly, Desta will be put behind bars when he will unable to hurt anybody else.”

If you have been affected by sexual violence, you can find help via the NHS. Rape Crisis offers specialist support for women and girls; and the The Survivors’ Trust supports people of any gender.