Enfield: Man found guilty of raping woman at north London party while she was asleep

A man has been found guilty of raping a woman while she slept at a party in north London.

“Predatory” Marcelle DaCosta, 36, was found unanimously guilty of rape at Wood Green Crown Court on Monday, following a trial.

The victim, aged in her 20s, had been at a party in Enfield on February 6, 2021, before moving on to two other addresses with DaCosta and two other people during the course of the night,

The woman who was “scarcely known” to DaCosta twice tried to leave the parties.

In the early hours of the morning of February 7 2021, in the second address in Enfield, the woman fell asleep and DaCosta raped her.

She reported the incident to police six days later and detectives from the North Area’s Public Protection team launched an investigation.

The woman was supported by specialist officers.

DaCosta was arrested on suspicion of rape on April 19, and charged on December 23, 2021.

He will be sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court on Tuesday, February 8.

Det Sgt Myles Bossman, who led the investigation, said: “DaCosta is an extremely dangerous individual.

“In what can only be described as predatory, he subjected a woman scarcely known to him to serious sexual assault without any remorse for his actions.

“The victim was at her most vulnerable as she slept.

“The verdict shows that such violence against women will not be tolerated.

“With the support of her family and the community, this woman showed immense bravery and courage in supporting a police investigation.

“I would like to thank her for her strength, and the many witnesses who provided evidence.

“I hope the conviction goes some way to providing closure after what must have been a shocking experience.

“The Met encourages anyone who is victim or witness to sexual assault, to contact police.

“There is zero tolerance for such serious offences.

“This conviction serves as a reminder that those who commit such horrific offences will be found and justice duly be served.”

You can report a crime by contacting police on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.