A dangerous sexual predator who tried to escape justice with bizarre claims that his DNA had mysteriously changed has been jailed for 13 years, following an intense investigation by Met detectives.
Rashane Lee, 26, of Old Kent Road, Southwark, was found guilty of two counts of rape, despite his desperate attempts to discredit the overwhelming forensic evidence against him.
His conviction was secured thanks to the relentless work of Met officers and the courageous testimony of his victim.
The court heard how on 1 June 2024, Lee hunted down a lone woman making her way home in Central London.
He deceptively gained her trust, claiming they lived in the same direction, before dragging her to a secluded area and attacking her.
The victim bravely reported the assault, and detectives quickly launched a high-stakes manhunt.
CCTV footage and cutting-edge forensic analysis led police straight to Lee, with DNA evidence proving his involvement beyond any doubt—with a probability of one billion to one.
Yet, even when confronted with unshakable proof, Lee concocted ludicrous excuses, claiming his DNA had somehow “changed” and that the forensic samples were either contaminated or faulty.
The jury, however, saw through his web of lies, returning a guilty verdict in under two hours at Inner London Crown Court on 23 December.
Shockingly, at the time of his arrest, the Met Police said Lee was already on the sex offenders register—having previously been convicted of rape in 2016 under eerily similar circumstances.
Released from prison in 2022, he was supposed to be under strict monitoring but violated the conditions of his release.
Met Detective Jack Woods, who led the investigation, did not mince words: “Lee is an extremely dangerous predator who deliberately targeted a vulnerable woman, believing she would be too confused to report him. He was wrong. Thanks to the bravery of the victim and the meticulous work of our officers, Lee is now exactly where he belongs—behind bars.”
In addition to his 13-year prison sentence, Lee’s licence has been extended by seven years, ensuring he will remain under strict supervision long after his release.
