Jailed: Violent predator who repeatedly told young woman ‘I will stab you’ during attempted rape

A violent predator told a young woman "if you don't do what I tell you I will stab you" during an attempted rape near a busy road in south London.

Gary Kerby, 47, of Sandemere Road, Lambeth was jailed for nine years at Inner London Crown Court on Friday.

The victim, a woman in her mid-20s, was walking through Rush Common off Dray Gardens, Brixton, at about 10.30am on July 11 last year, the court heard.

She was halfway across the common when she noticed the shadow of Kerby as he approached her.

He asked her if she had any money before grabbing hold of one of her arms and pulling her onto a bench.

While on the bench he told her that she had to perform a sexual act on him, repeatedly saying: "If you don't do what I tell you I will stab you."

She tried to call out and he put his hands around her neck and pushed his thumbs into it. He then attempted to rape her, police said.

A man walked through the park disturbed the attack, and Kerby stopped what he was doing and threatened to stab him.

However the witness stayed where he was and did not move from the scene.

At this point Kerby told the victim he would let her go if she gave him her bank card. The victim gave him her bank and Oyster cards and she fled.

After the victim reported the attack to the police, Kerby was quickly identified as a suspect and was arrested at Sandmere Road, Lambeth on July 13.

Detective Inspector Simon Dowling of CASO said: "Kerby is a violent, dangerous, sexual predator and probably the only reason he did not carry out other offences was the appearance of a member of the public, who disturbed the attack.

"Thankfully the victim was able to get away and tell police about her ordeal.

"Kerby was quickly identified as a suspect and soon arrested. He now faces a long custodial sentence and I am sure London will be a safer place for it."

Kerby was convicted at Inner London Crown Court on December 15 after a four-day-trial.

He was also sentenced to three years in prison, to served concurrently, for sexual assault, five years for robbery and six years for causing a female aged 13 or over to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity.

The good Samaritan who came across the attack in the park has never been traced.