A 44-YEAR-OLD Lewisham "sexual predator" who hid out in a Croydon tent to escape the police may have attacked others.

Darren Dickinson attacked his vulnerable 24-year-old victim in Lewisham between January 1 and March 20 this year.

Police found out about his crimes after they were called to a hostel on March 31, where the woman said Dickinson had sexually assaulted her.

Aware police were after him, Dickinson went into hiding for several months, living in a tent in Norwood before finally handing himself in.

He was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Woolwich Crown Court on October 24 after admitting one count of attempted rape and three counts of assault by penetration

Detective Inspector Faye Churchyard from the Met's Sapphire unit said: "Darren Dickinson is a sexual predator who subjected the victim to a number of sexual assaults.

"Due to her strength and courage to come forward and work with the police she has today seen justice. Dickinson has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment. The victim will receive continued support from our partner agencies to help her rebuild her life."

"We believe there will be other victims and I encourage those affected by his conduct to come forward and tell police. He has now been convicted and will rightly serve a lengthy custodial sentence safeguarding others from assault."