A man who indecently assaulted two women at knifepoint as they walked home from Tooting Broadway tube station has been jailed for nine years.

Marcus Ferry, 19, of Lessingham Avenue, Tooting, who pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and two of indecent assault, received the stiffest sentence possible from Judge Fergus Mitchell who said he could not contemplate the awfulness' of Ferry's crime.

Kingston Crown Court heard last Friday that Ferry had targeted both his victims late at night on separate occasions in Tooting, in April. He threatened them, robbed them and then forced them to commit a sexual act.

The women, who are both in their 30s, cannot be named for legal reasons.

Neil Guest, for the prosecution, told the court the first attack happened on April 1 at 12.40am. Ferry had followed his victim before approaching her and demanding her bag and phone while holding a knife. He then assaulted her before she ran for her life'.

Ferry then struck again exactly one week later, at around the same time and in the same area.

Mr Guest said Ferry's second victim was grabbed by the jacket collar and dragged towards the pavement. She believed she was going to be stabbed. She was in a state of shock'.

Ferry assaulted her before leaving with her bag and possessions.

But he was caught later that night when PC Dobbs and PC Passmore who were commended in court by Judge Mitchell spotted a man matching the description from the first attack.

Defending, Gordon Harrison told the court Ferry lived with his mother, a devout Jehovah's Witness. He said his client had written notes of apology to his victims, which were read out in court.

But sentencing, Judge Mitchell told Ferry: "I have taken into account your age and expressions of contrition. But I cannot imagine anything worse than what your victims suffered at your hands.

"You forced these victims into humiliating themselves and in degrading these women one cannot contemplate the awfulness of their predicament." He sentenced Ferry to nine years, with an extended licence for one year, which comes into force if he commits any crime whatsoever after his release. His name will also be placed on the sex offenders' register.

Outside the court, DC Simon Harding and DC Matt Flynn, who headed up the investigations, said they were happy with the length of Ferry's sentence.

DC Harding told the Guardian: "The danger Ferry presents to the public in general and women in particular was recognised by the court today in the sentence that was imposed."

His colleague added: "Credit should be paid to the victims for having confidence in the police in reporting these assaults."

November 6, 2001 10:30