A serial sex attacker targeted lone women out walking or jogging in one rape and a series of assaults.

Zyroam Allen, 18, of Hackney, targeted at least seven women who were walking or jogging in the Hackney Marshes area in June 2022.

The teenager would often approach the woman on a bike, grabbing their buttocks, genitals or breasts and making inappropriate comments before riding off.

He raped one of the women and exposed himself to another at her place of work.

One of the victims said that she no longer runs along the canal as she does “not feel safe”.

She added: “I won’t even go for a walk if I am by myself as I find it too stressful.

“It makes me really angry that I can’t enjoy the area I live in now. This person has taken that away from me and I do not think I will ever get this back.”

Allen was arrested on June 22 last year after he breached bail for an unrelated offence.

Six of his victims were then able to identify him in an ID procedure.

Forensic tests then linked the teenager to another offence.

After he was charged, Allen pleaded guilty to one count of rape, one count of indecent exposure and seven counts of sexual assault at Wood Green Crown Court in December 2022.

He was jailed for four years at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday (October 5).

The judge lifted Allen’s anonymity as he turned 18 the following day (Friday, 6 October).

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Kate Robins said: “I’d like to praise the strength and bravery of all the women who reported these crimes to the police.

“We took every single report extremely seriously, which led to the offences being linked.”

She added: “I understand the perpetrator has expressed remorse for his actions and I hope he will get the rehabilitation he clearly needs.

“Every woman has the right to go about her life without the fear of being sexually assaulted.

“The Met is more focused than ever in targeting those who harm women and girls and other vulnerable members of society."

Allen's offences were as follows: 

  • 08/06/2022 - sexual assault, Homerton Road
  • 08/06/2022 - sexual assault, Daubeney Road
  • 08/06/2022 - sexual assault, Homerton Road
  • 10/06/2022 - sexual assault, Homerton Road
  • 10/06/2022 - sexual assault, Chatsworth Road
  • 11/06/2022 - rape, Hackney Marshes
  • 15/06/2022 - indecent exposure, Elderfield Road
  • 16/06/2022 - sexual assault, Clifden Road
  • 21/06/2022 - sexual assault, Hackney Marshes