31/07/2015

Man Jailed For Job Interview Rape

A 39-year-old man who raped a man during a job interview has been jailed for six years.

Sebastian Szerer, of Alexander Road, Wimbledon, was convicted of one count of rape at the Old Bailey and sentenced to six years in jail on Thursday, 30 July.

The court heard that the 25-year-old victim had gone to the Rubens Hotel on 15 April, 2012, under the pretext of a job interview, with Szerer, who was employed "in a senior role" at the time.

Szerer conducted the interview and then offered to show the victim around the hotel.

When the men entered a suite at the hotel, Szerer locked the door and attacked the man.

The court also heard that the victim had kept the attack quiet for more than a year, until he received a message from Szerer on a social networking site, saying: "hello stranger".

The message prompted the man to contact Victim Support and report the rape.

Szerer was arrested on 23 April, 2013 and subsequently charged.

Investigating officer, Detective Inspector Lee Davison, of Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Szerer abused his position as Head House Keeper. 

"He purposely lured the victim to the hotel on the pretext of a job interview that didn't exist. He then raped him. Thankfully he has been found guilty and I praise the victim today for his decision to report this rape to the police. 

"The Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences Exploitation & Child Abuse Command will pursue all such offenders to bring them to justice and I would encourage anyone who has suffered at the hand of another to report the matter in the knowledge that they will be believed and supported."

(MH)

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