A serial rapist who lied to "cover up his actions" has been jailed for more than 10 years after attacking two women.

Shelton Tapfumaneyi, 24 of Champion Way, Oxford appeared at Basildon Crown Court on 10 March for sentencing, after he was convicted of two counts of rape earlier this year.

He was jailed for 13 years following joint investigative work by Essex Police and Greater Manchester Police.

Tapfumaneyi was first arrested by Greater Manchester Police in April 2019, after a woman reported that she had been raped following a night out in the city centre in March.

Detective Constable Patrick Snape, the investigating officer for the Essex investigation said: “He targeted two women and then tried to cover up his actions by repeatedly saying that both women had consented.

READ MORE >>>

“Survivors of sexual assault are often lead to believe that it’s the perpetrators word against theirs and they may be worried that they won’t be believed by their peers, family or the police.

"I can assure anyone who is a survivor of sexual abuse and hasn’t been able to come forward yet that you will be believed, and we will always investigate your case.

“I commend the bravery of both victims in this case for keeping strong throughout the investigation process.

"I hope that this result provides them with some closure on what they have been through.”  

After being charged and released on court bail, he came to Essex Police’s attention in August 2020.

A woman contacted Essex Police online to bravely disclose that she had been raped in Basildon Tapfumaneyi was arrested the following day, on August 24.

The force says a strong investigation by Essex Police’s Crime and Public Protection Team resulted in Tapfumaneyi being charged with one count of rape against a woman over 16.

A decision was then made to join both charges together for the Essex and Manchester offences for the trial, which concluded in September with a guilty verdict.