A sexual predator who raped a woman after drugging her and breaking into her home was caught when he used her bank card in McDonalds.

Daniel Wallace, 33, was traced by police after buying a meal in McDonalds in Hoe Street, Walthamstow.

Wallace was found guilty of rape and burglary at Blackfriars Crown Court and has been jailed for 12 years.

The court heard how, in the early hours of September 11 2016, the woman, aged in her 20s, was followed by Wallace as she walked back to her Canonbury home after spending the evening with friends.

Her next recollection was lying on her sofa, unable to move, with a man on top of her.

She woke up the next morning naked in her bed with injuries and found valuables belonging to her and her housemates were missing.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: McDonalds attack accused due in court

Wallace was caught after buying food in McDonalds in Hoe Street, Walthamstow (pictured).

After reporting the incident to police and while awaiting results from forensic tests, the woman’s bank card was used by Wallace in McDonalds.

Wallace of Weymouth Terrace, Hoxton, was spotted on CCTV with an unknown man and was arrested.

He was also linked to the crime by forensic tests.

He was found to be in possession of what the judge described as a 'Rape Kit' after the attack, which had lubricants, the drug GHB and Viagra.

During interview, Wallace remained silent to all questions.

He was charged with rape and burglary but denied both offences.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

He was found guilty of burglary in June and guilty of rape at a re-trial last week.

Detective Constable Colin Hutton, the investigating officer from Met's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: "Wallace is a dangerous sexual predator who preyed on a vulnerable woman as she made her way home after enjoying an evening out with friends.

“He then drugged and raped her in her own home and then proceeded to burgle the property while she was passed out cold as a result of the GHB he gave her.

"The items found on Wallace upon his arrest show the preparations he had taken to carry out this attack and indicates that he may have been planning to carry out similar offences in the future.

"I would like to praise the victim's courage for reporting this heinous crime to us and for helping us to put Wallace behind bars and off London's streets.

"I hope today's sentence will give the victim some measure of closure and comfort."