A woman who was strangled unconscious during a terrifying night-time robbery has said she is still “a wreck”, two years after the attack.

Speaking exclusively to the Wandsworth Guardian the woman, who wanted to remain anonymous, said she thought she was going to die during the attack carried out by Temman Dias, who was found guilty on six counts of robbery last month.

Between August 2007 and October 2008, Dias, 25, of Parkham Street, Battersea, preyed on lone and vulnerable women in the Battersea area.

Approaching from behind, he strangled them until they became unconscious and, as they lay helpless, he took their handbags and other property.

Police said they feared the attacks could have led to a murder and praised the victims’ courage in helping prosecute him.

A 60-year-old woman - thought to be Dias’s first victim - said: “I was on my way to work when I was grabbed around the neck from behind and pulled into an alley.

"I tried to call for help but I couldn’t speak. I don’t remember anything about being unconscious.

“When I came round I started crawling. I crawled back to my home but I couldn’t stand up. I kept passing out, I really thought I was going to die in the street that day.

"I thought I wouldn’t see my kids or grandchildren again.

“A neighbour helped me into the house and called an ambulance.

"My body was black and blue. I had bruising around my neck and there was a footprint mark on my face. When my son saw me he hugged me and he just cried.

“I am still taking Diazapam [a form of anti-anxiety drug Valium] and sleeping tablets and I have had counselling. Mostly, I still won’t go out on the street by myself.

“It has changed my whole life. I’m scared all the time I’m out. I’m just not the person I was. I was confident but now I’m a wreck. The injuries went away but it is psychological.

“I wanted people to know this person isn’t someone who just comes up and mugs people.

“He could have just taken my bag but he chose to strangle and beat me.

"He’s not your every day mugger. He gets pleasure out of beating his victims. He’s a nasty scumbag.”

A 17-year-old boy from Mitcham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also found guilty of being involved one attack.

Police raided Dias’ home hours after the last attack on October 3, 2008, where they found Dias, the 17-year-old, and property belonging to some of the victims.

Evidence from the attacks was found on a roof adjacent to the house.

The pair will be sentenced on October 2.

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