Predator, 42, pretended to be 19 on Snapchat to talk to teens before raping them

A 42-year-old predator pretended to be 19 while talking to teenagers before raping them. Himanshu Makwana, 42, has been convicted on two counts of rape. Makwana pretended to be a young man called Samir while talking to two teenagers - one 18 and one 16 - on Snapchat.

In 2019, he spoke to his first victim, an 18-year-old woman, for a few months. They then decided to meet up. He drove her to an empty office block, then once inside, he raped her. It was reported at the time but he could not be identified, said Metropolitan Police.

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Then in April 2023, he again posed as a 19-year-old on Snapchat and spoke to his second victim - a girl who had just turned 16. He then parked on a street near the victim's school, waited for her, then asked for her help carrying some books. She agreed. He then locked her in a car and said he was the man she had been speaking to.

He then drove her to an empty commercial premises and raped her.

Makwana was arrested on Monday, November 27, 2023 – the day after the second victim reported the incident. A photo taken by a witness showing the car used helped identify Makwana.

Analysis of a DNA sample taken on his arrest identified him as the previously unknown suspect for the offence against the first victim in 2019.

He was then charged with the rapes of both victims on Friday, December 22, 2023, and remanded in custody ahead of trial. He has now been jailed for nine years. He will serve an additional four years on extended licence, and will be made to register as a sex offender for life.

Detective Constable Lewis Jelley, who led the investigation, said: “Makwana posed as a young man on social media in order to prey on young girls. He carried out a horrific attack on one woman, and then did the same thing again a few years later. He was brought to justice following a painstaking investigation.

“I want to thank the two brave young women who came forward and reported the offences to us. Without their courage, we would not be in the position we are today.”

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