A man who indecently assaulted a woman after breaking into her home has been jailed more than 20 years after the offence.
Harold McKenzie, 42, of no fixed address, was jailed for 12 years after Scotland Yard’s sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command re-investigated the cold case from July 1993.
McKenzie was arrested in October last year after new forensic testing discovered his DNA on old evidence material.
The victim, a 25-year-old German national who had recently moved to London, was asleep in the bedroom of her ground floor flat in Shepherd’s Bush when she was awoken by an unknown intruder.
McKenzie lifted her clothing over her head, demanded she hand over cash and other valuables, before dragging her out of bed.
The victim resisted and sprayed CS spray into her attacker’s face. McKenzie then threatened her with a kitchen knife before subjecting his victim to a prolonged sexual assault. He locked his victim in the cellar of her flat and fled the scene with her cash card and money.
No suspect was identified at the time.
The case was re-investigated in June 2011. Officers managed to locate the victim who moved back to her native Germany. McKenzie was arrested on October 15 last year and charged with indecent assault, false imprisonment, actual bodily harm and robbery.
He pleaded guilty to all counts at Southwark Crown Court in November last year and was sentenced on Friday (April 25).
Detective Constable Karen Bradley said: “The victim in this case was subjected to a horrific ordeal in her own home. Thanks to her bravery and the continued efforts of the cold case team, the man responsible has finally been convicted after 21 years, which I hope will give the victim some sense of closure.
“We remain committed to identifying those responsible for such offences, regardless of the period of time that has elapsed.”
