Man guilty of rape and assault of three women

A man who broke into a woman's home, tried to rape her and stole her bank card has been found guilty.

Fawad Hakimi has been convicted of rape and sexual assaults against three women in Wolverhampton after DNA linked him to the crimes, police said.

A jacket and cigarette butt found near one of his victim's homes in Wednesfield in August last year helped police to track him down.

The 24-year-old of Merridale Road, Wolverhampton, has been remanded in custody to be sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court on 12 April.

Hakimi was also identified after he used the bank card he had stolen at a shop in the city.

Days before he broke into the home, he had attacked another woman as she walked home in the Wednesfield area, police said.

He raped and sexually assaulted a third woman near his house in April last year.

The victims came forward and helped West Midlands Police to build a case against him.

They were able to give their evidence on a video recording which was played to the court, rather than having to face their attacker across a courtroom.

Hakimi denied the charges but following a trial, he was found guilty of rape, attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault, fraud and burglary.

He was also found guilty of theft after stealing some earphones from a car that he had broken into.

Det Con Harriet Griffin said: "Forensic expertise played a vital role in this case but it is these courageous women who have helped convict a dangerous sexual attacker.

"We were able to support them through the process, the investigation and the legal hearings, but it is their bravery which has brought this man to justice."

Det Con Daniel Foley added: "One of the victims in the case had some additional needs which meant she provided evidence through an intermediary. This allowed her to get across what had happened to her in the clearest way possible and provide the best evidence."

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