Women (81) in Rape After Down Bus in Balham, South London

An 81-year-old woman was raped after getting off a bus on a busy road in south London.

The woman was raped by a man who followed her after she left the number 155 bus on Balham High Road at 8.30pm on Friday.

She was taken to hospital after the attack.

A 41-year-old man from Tooting was arrested on Saturday and charged with two counts of rape and one of kidnap/false imprisonment.

He will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

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Before the man’s arrest, officers from the Metropolitan Police sex crimes unit had appealed for information on the whereabouts of the victim’s jacket.

Detective Inspector Melissa Laremore said: “My investigators are working to trace it in and around the local area as it is of important evidential value.

“If you have any knowledge of its whereabouts, please get in touch.”