A man has been jailed for 18 years after trapping a woman in a garage with the intention of sexually assaulting her.

On March 31, 2019, he led a woman into a garage in Morden with the intent of sexually abusing her.

She was able to escape and called the police at around 2am.

The man was able to evade police before being arrested after a year of investigations.

Marry Marry from Croydon was found guilty at Kingston Crown Court for false imprisonment with the intent of committing a sexual offence.

He was jailed for 18 years.

Detective Inspector Simon Sherlock, of the South West Rape and Serious Sexual Offences team, said: "This result is after a year of thorough investigation by detectives and officers leading to the arrest of this male.

“ADS Rob Williams, officer in the case for this investigation and his team worked diligently to secure this result.

“Thanks to their efforts this male who approached and imprisoned a young woman and who has been evading police has been brought to justice.

“Throughout this case we have offered any and all support to the victim but we’re grateful to her for her strength and courage in supporting this investigation”.

A spokesperson for Merton Police said: “A male has been sentenced to 18 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of committing false imprisonment with the intent of committing a sexual offence.

“On the 31st March 2019, we were called at around 02:00 in the morning to a report that a male had led a woman to a garage in Morden with the intent to sexually assaulting her.

“Luckily, the woman was able to escape and we were called shortly afterwards.

“An intensive investigation began which led to Marry Marry, born 27/06/1989 of Croydon, being found guilty at Kingston Crown Court and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.”