Camden doorstep rapist: Rapper who forced six lone women into sex acts at knife point faces jail

A rapper dubbed the “Camden doorstep rapist” has been found guilty of a series of rapes and sexual assaults on lone women, which he threatened with a weapon.

Francis Mukendi, 27, followed his female victims home late at night and ambushed them when they reached for their keys brandishing a hammer or a knife as he forced the women into sex acts.

Mukendi – who raps on Instagram and TikTok under the name ‘Raver Artist’ - attacked six women aged between 20 and 32 between 2017 and 2019.

Each attack was within a short walk of each other and a short distance from Mukendi’s home address in Camden.

The first attack was in September 2017, when Mukendi preyed on a young woman as she walked home from Camden Tube station after a night out with friends.

His next attack occurred in June 2018, as a woman walked home alone from a night out at 4.30am, and he carried out a further three attacks in September and November that year

The final victim was targeted in December 2019, as she reached the door of a friend’s home after a work night out.

All the victims reported the attacks to police immediately and a breakthrough came when officers released the CCTV image captured of the suspect to the media on Tuesday, December 21 2020.

On seeing his own image, Mukendi handed himself into police the following day.

When detectives searched Mukendi’s home address, they found clothing which matched that seen being worn by the suspect in the CCTV.

A laptop was also seized and later examined by forensic experts.

Mukendi was digitally aware and had attempted to delete video footage he recorded of the attack on September 21 2017, but this was recovered.

A zombie knife and a lock knife believed to be used in the attacks were also recovered from his home address.

Mukendi was subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

He was found guilty of four counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape, two counts of sexual assault and four counts of possession of a bladed article at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday, following a six-week trial.

His sentencing date is yet to be confirmed.

Det Con Stacey Smith, of Central North BCU said: “Mukendi is an extremely dangerous offender who targeted these women as they walked home alone in the dark.

“He waited for the most opportune moments before making his attacks.

“His actions have left these women traumatised by what has happened to them.

"I would like to thank them for coming forward and supporting the police investigation; also for providing crucial evidence which led to this conviction and has ensured Mukendi cannot subject anyone else to such horrific attacks.

“I would urge anyone who has been a victim of a similar attack to speak to us directly quoting CAD1639/21MAR22.

“Alternatively contact us through a third party support group such as The Havens or London Survivors Gateway who offer a 24/7 urgent advice number if you need to speak with someone for the first time.”