A man has been jailed nearly two decades after raping a woman in a remote spot in Fulham.

Andrew Boys told his victim he “would dump her in the river” if she continued attempts to flee from his car during the attack in February 1998.

The 52-year-old was linked to the crime when he was arrested in 2015 on an unrelated matter, and handed an eight year prison sentence on Thursday (September 7) following a trial at Southwark Crown Court.

The attack happened when the victim, aged 26 at the time, mistakenly got into Boys’ car believing it to be a mini-cab while he was driving in central London.

Boys then drove to a remote spot, the Metropolitan Police said.

Fearing for her safety, the woman tried to get out of the car but Boys, from Reading Road, Sutton, locked all the doors.

He forced the victim into the back of the car before raping her, telling her she would be thrown in the river if she carried on trying to escape.

Following the attack, Boys drove the victim home where she contacted police.

An initial investigation failed to identify a suspect, but the breakthrough came years later when Boys was finally arrested for an unrelated matter.

In 2015, a DNA review of forensic evidence gathered at the time of the attack gave a positive match to Boys.

Justice at last: Andrew Boys has been jailed for raping a woman nearly 20 years ago

He was arrested at his address in Sutton on December 3, 2015 and charged with rape and false imprisonment.

Following his trial, he was found guilty of rape, while the false imprisonment charge was ordered to lie on file.

The officer leading the investigation said she hoped it would encourage more non-recent victims of sexual assault and violence to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Gemma Robb of Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said: “The fact that this attack happened nearly 20 years ago acted as no barrier to us in our pursuit of Boys.

“I hope this sentencing encourages victims that no matter how much time has past, we will continue to pursue those responsible.

“I trust that Boys’ conviction can help the woman he attacked to move on from her horrific ordeal.

“Anyone who has been the victim of such an attack should contact police and report the crime, you will be believed and you will be supported.”

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