A 43-year-old man who handed himself over to Hammersmith Police Station has been jailed for raping a woman in Croydon.

Diego Dellarovere of Holland Road, W14, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 15 March to seven years' in prison.

He was convicted of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assaulted at Croydon Crown Court on Friday, 19 January.

The Met Police launched an investigation after a woman came forward in May 2021 to report that she had been attacked by Dellarovere at her house in Croydon.

The woman rented a room in her house through an online booking site which Dellarovere had booked stay there on 7 May 2021.

He had spent some of the evening out in Croydon before returning home and sexually assaulting the woman, before raping her.

Dellarovere was located through intelligence which linked him to property.

Officers carried out arrest enquiries at Dellarovere's house to arrest the suspect, however he was not located.

He later handed himself in to Hammersmith Police Station.

Detective Constable Natalie Alchin, who led the investigation, said: "Dellarovere forced himself on this woman in her own home. Somewhere she should have felt safe and I have no doubt that she terrified.

"I am pleased our investigation has resulted in him receiving a significant custodial sentence and I would like to praise the victim for the support she has shown the investigation.

"We do not underestimate the impact that would have had on her.

"The Met continue to be committed to tackling violence against women and girls and I hope the outcome of this investigation gives other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us."

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