A 44-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of raping a woman who got into what she believed was a mini-cab 18 years ago.

Jamshed Khan, of Valley Hill, Loughton, was found guilty at Southwark Crown Court following an investigation by the Met's Cold Case Rape Investigation Team.

The woman got into what she believed to be a mini-cab driven by Khan on Essex Road, north London on April 1, 1989. Having given Khan her destination she noticed he was driving in a different direction. He claimed to be avoiding traffic.

After a short time the woman realised they were in an area unknown to her and she asked Khan to stop. He continued to drive and eventually pulled over in the Wanstead Flats area, and raped her.

The victim managed to escape from the car and flagged down a passing vehicle containing two off-duty mini-cab drivers who drove her to the nearest police station.

In 2002 the Sapphire Cold Case Investigation Team was created to investigate all unsolved stranger rape allegations reported to the Metropolitan Police Service.

An inquiry led by Detective Constable Andy Lawrence resulted in Khan being arrested for rape. He was charged on April 17 this year.

DC Lawrence, speaking after last Thursday's conviction, said: "Today's conviction should send out a warning to anyone who has committed a sexual offence that we do not cease to investigate these crimes. No matter how much time has passed, we will find you and put you before the courts."

Khan will be sentenced on January 18.