A man who stalked women on the street by driving across North London has been jailed for 18 years.

Thierry Kindundi, 30, of High Street, in Enfield, was found guilty of raping one woman, and attempting to rape and sexually assaulting a second by luring them into his car.

The court heard how Kindundu drove around the streets of north London looking for women to attack.

On the first occasion on August 29, 2011, Kindundu approached a woman waiting alone at a bus stop in Tottenham High Road.

He offered to give her a lift and persisted to take her to her home from free.

Once inside the car, Kindundu drove to Chestnuts Park, in St Ann’s Road, Tottenham, where he raped her.

People living near the park heard the incident and came to the victim's aid while Kindundu left in a Citroen Picasso.

The second incident occurred in Edmonton on December 16, 2012. The 32-year-old victim had been out with a friend and was in Fore Street when Kindundu pulled up in a car and offered them a lift.

Both women got into the car, but when Kindundu drove in a different direction the women became concerned and demanded Kindundu let them out.

He stopped and one woman managed to get out of the car but Kindundu drove off before the second woman could escape.

Police were called and officers and found Kindundu and his victim a short distance away.

During this time Kindundu had sexually assaulted and attempted to rape his victim.

The Congolese national was arrested and subsequently charged with offences related to both incidents.

Detective Constable Suzie Chantry, of the sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command led the investigation.

She said: "I would like to praise the courage of the two victims who have put their trust in the police to obtain justice for them. I hope the fact that Kindundu has been jailed will go some way to achieving closure for them.

"Kindundu is a predatory sexual offender who stalked the streets of north London late at night, looking for woman to attack. I cannot discount the fact that there may be other victims of Kindundu and I would appeal to anyone who thinks they may have been attacked by this man to come forward and speak to police.

"Today's sentencing shows that you will be believed and the police will pursue those responsible and put them before the courts."

Detective Inspector Rick Murphy, also of SOECA, said: "This case highlights the dangers of getting into a vehicle of someone you don't know. Even if you think the person may be a cab driver, don't get into their car. Unlicensed cabs are not regulated and you don't know who is driving them."