A sex attacker followed a woman from a library and raped her in a park.

Aurel Surugiu, 40, of Edgware, was jailed at the Old Bailey on May 17 for 11 years for rape and sexual assault by penetration.

Police were called to Watling Avenue in Burnt Oak in the early hours of September 25, 2023, Scotland Yard says.

A woman had asked two young men for help, telling them she had just been raped.

The officers established that the woman had been sitting on a bench outside Burnt Oak Library on the evening of September 24.

Surugiu approached her and accompanied her into nearby Watling Park, where he raped her.

He then walked away from the scene.

Detectives identified Surugiu as the suspect after an extensive CCTV trawl found footage of him with the victim.

Further CCTV enquiries confirmed that evening Surugiu had visited a chicken shop in Watling Avenue to buy food, as well as two other local shops to buy alcohol and cigarettes.

Financial checks on a bank card used by Surugiu led to his identification and arrest on September 26.

He was found guilty at the Old Bailey on April 2.

Detective Constable Pat Leonte, who led the investigation, said: “Having made rapid enquiries, I am pleased we were able to identify and arrest Surugiu so soon after this incident. Women in Edgware and Burnt Oak are safer without him on the streets.

“The victim in this case attended court to give evidence. She was nervous, but I am confident that my colleagues and I gave her every possible support, and I know she is content that she has seen justice done.

“I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank the two young men who called police and waited with her until officers arrived."