A teenager who raped two strangers at knifepoint was branded “horrific” after being given a life sentence.

Dylan McDonald will spend at least 10 years behind bars after being jailed today (Friday, October 7) at Wood Green Crown Court.

The 19-year-old, who was 18 when he committed his crimes, was convicted of four counts of rape, two counts of robbery, one count of GBH and one count of ABH after a week-long trial on Tuesday, July 26.

He had pleaded not guilty despite evidence found in his bedroom including clothes stained with the blood of one of his victims, another victim's personal belongings he had stolen, and two kitchen knives.

The court heard how McDonald, of St. Anne’s Road, Tottenham, had targeted women he did not know as they walked home from work or strolled through their local park.

DC Daryl Gibbs of the Metropolitan Police said: "The victims' courage and bravery when faced with a truly traumatic experience has resulted in a dangerous offender being brought to justice and removed from the streets of London.

“In my experience as a detective this amounts to one of the most horrific investigations I have undertaken."

McDonald targeted his first victim, a woman aged in her early 50s, as she was on her way home from work in Southey Road at 2.30pm on Friday, March 11.

McDonald held a knife against her, forced her to nearby stairwell where he stole her two mobile phones, camera and watch. He then raped the woman twice.

He then repeatedly punched the woman in the face before running away. The victim raised the alarm and was taken to hospital.

Three days later, McDonald attacked his second victim, a woman aged in her early 30s who had gone for a walk in the grounds of Alexandra Palace.

At around 4pm, McDonald cycled up to her and pulled out a 30cm long knife. He grabbed her and demanded her rucksack.

As the woman struggled to remove her rucksack, the impatient McDonald stabbed her in the leg. As she fell to the ground in pain, McDonald took her mobile phone, money, watch and house keys.

As she lay injured, he dragged her into nearby bushes and raped her twice at knifepoint.

After her ordeal, the woman called police and was also taken to hospital.

McDonald was arrested on Monday, March 14 - the same day of the second attack - at 10.30pm at his home in Tottenham.

He remained silent in his police interviews, but was charged on March 16. He had no previous convictions.

Detective Inspector Mark Rogers said: "McDonald has shown no remorse and targeted lone females going about their daily lives.

“It must be noted that stranger rapes are extremely rare and with the strength and determination of the two women this dangerous individual has been brought to justice. He will spend a very long time in prison."