A RAPIST convicted through DNA evidence has been sentenced to 10 years in jail and recommended for deportation on his release.

Masoud Khaleghi, a 20-year-old unemployed Iranian, was sentenced for three offences of raping a 17-year-old girl from Bromley when he appeared at Croydon Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 10 years on each of the three counts, to be served concurrently, and placed on the sex offenders register for life.

Khaleghi, from Acton, west London, had pleaded not guilty and was convicted on November 5 after a five-day trial.

He had been charged with three rape offences on May 30 after DNA extracted from the victim's clothing completely matched his.

The chances of such a complete match are estimated to be one in one billion.

As well as matching DNA, Khaleghi also had a large "crossed bones" tattoo on his upper right arm, which matched a description given by the victim.

On May 29 Khaleghi was arrested in Charing Cross, London, on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply.

He was later transferred to Bromley police station and charged.

Khalegi denied raping the girl on April 16.

She had been walking along Maple Road, Penge, toward the Hop House pub.

A small black car, with two men inside, pulled up beside her and she was ordered to get in and led into the back seat of the car by the passenger.

She said she felt intimidated and was scared the men would hurt her if she tried to escape.

The driver told her he was taking her to his cousin's house in Croydon and the journey took 15 to 20 minutes.

When the car stopped, the teenager was led inside a flat at an unknown address and both men raped her a number of times over a two-hour period.

She was then told: "You can go now", and was driven to the Shortlands area of Bromley, where she was dropped off.