A mechanic mugged a woman at knifepoint and then dragged her off the street and raped her twice in south London.

Blair Charles has been jailed for 15 years over the horrific attack on a 29-year-old in Grove Park, in the early hours of March 8 last year.

He attacked the woman as she walked home from a bus stop at about 2.25am, demanding her bank card and pin at knifepoint.

He then dragged her into a back garden 100 yards away in Baring Road before raping her, police said.

Police eventually caught Charles, 39, after linking him to a terrifying robbery which had taken place two months earlier.

He had followed a woman home before forcing his way into her house as she opened her front door. He then threatened to kill her and stole her handbag before running off.

Officers were led to the violent predator by a distinctive ring which he had dropped during the robbery, in nearby Balder Rise.

He was arrested seven months later in October and linked forensically to the rape case.

Charles, of Gable Close, Lewisham, was jailed for 15 years at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of rape, two counts of robbery and one count of theft.

Police fear he may have carried out further violent attacks on lone women and have appealed for any possible victims to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Corrado Di Mascio of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Blair Charles is a violent offender who preyed on lone women as they made their way home at night.

“We know he carried out two horrific attacks and there is a possibility he may have offended elsewhere.

"If you think you may have been a victim of Blair Charles, please contact police on 101."