A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been found guilty of raping a woman in Welling.

Astrit Rama, from Enfield, appeared for trial at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday (September 13) charged with committing rape and robbery in April.

Rama was found not guilty of robbery and will appear back in court for sentencing on November 2.

The court heard the victim, a sex worker aged 40, was walking along Plumstead High Street on April 18 at around 3am when she noticed a maroon motor vehicle slow down near to her.

The male occupant, Rama, shouted at her, but she could not understand what he said so carried on walking.

She had reached Church Manor Way about 10 minutes later when the same vehicle pulled up alongside her.

Rama spoke to the victim and she agreed to get in the car. He then drove to William Foster Lane, Welling, where he parked the car.

The woman claimed she was then subjected to a violent attack, threatened with a screwdriver, robbed and sexually assaulted.

She managed to escape from the car and a police examination of the scene led them to Rama's address in Enfield.

He was arrested on April 24 and his car was taken for forensic examination.

A screwdriver matching the description given by the victim was found and the vehicle also matched images of a car caught on CCTV at the time of the offence.

Rama was charged in the early hours of the following day and appeared at Bexley Magistrates' Court later in the morning of April 25.

Detective Constable Steve Edwards, of the Bexley police Sapphire Team, which led the investigation, said: "A swift initial response and investigation by the Sapphire Team at Bexley led to the arrest of Rama.

"The victim had been concerned that her work as a prostitute and the fact she had always been on the wrong side of the police would affect her treatment.

"The victim was given the support of a specially trained chaperone who helped her through each stage of the judicial process leading to his conviction".

Detective Inspector Peter Thomas of the Sapphire Team said: "Rama targeted this victim because her way of life made her an easy and vulnerable target.

"The victim should be commended for finding the strength to come forward and report what happened to her. It's possible Rama would have gone on to attack other women had she not done so.

"No matter who you are, what community you are from or your lifestyle no one has the right to rape or sexually abuse you."