News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man has been convicted of murdering his mother-in-law after sexually assaulting her so violently she bled to death.

Mohammed Yassin Yusef, 32, attacked 64-year-old Amoe Seline Stevens at their home in north London in October last year after his wife left him alone with her frail mother.

Mrs Stevens had previously suffered a stroke, leaving her mobility and speech severely impaired.

But within moments of being left alone, Yusef locked himself in Mrs Stevens' bedroom and began to assault her.

He was only stopped when the victim's carer arrived to get her ready for bed, and became suspicious when she saw Yusuf rush from the bedroom with blood on his hands and shirt.

When the carer went into the bedroom she found Mrs Stevens bleeding and slumped in her recliner chair.

She went to the kitchen to challenge Yusuf, where she found him trying to wash blood from his hands and clothes.

Mrs Stevens was taken to hospital, but died hours later from multiple internal injuries, and Yusuf was charged with her murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh, from the Met's homicide and major crime command, said: "This was a truly horrendous crime committed against a vulnerable and defenceless woman.

"Mrs Stevens suffered ill health and Yusuf should have offered her care and protection. Instead he chose to use her vulnerabilities for his own sexual benefit and violated her in the most despicable way possible."

He said detectives believe Yusuf had assaulted Mrs Stevens on multiple occasions, but her disabilities meant she was not able to tell her family.

They also think he may have tried to target other women in the past, and urged anyone with concerns about his behaviour to get in touch.

In a statement Mrs Stevens' family said they were devastated by the death of "our beloved Amoe".

"We can't imagine how we will ever come to terms with our loss," they said. "The detectives from the homicide command have been truly exceptional and we would like to thank them for their thorough investigation."

Yusuf will be sentenced on Friday.