A PROLIFIC offender was jailed for at least three years for a number of sexual offences, as police appeal for anyone else who may have been a victim to come forward.

Ernest Egoruvwe, 18, was given an indeterminate setence at Basildon Crown court yesterday (March 18) for a rape and an attempted rape, while other offences – three counts of outraging public decency and three counts of indecent exposure – were ordered to remain on file.

At around 2:30am on July 27, a 23-year-old woman was travelling on the 128 bus after a night out. Egoruvwe, of Wood Lane in Dagenham, was also on the bus and followed the victim as she alighted in Cranbrook Road, Ilford.

In nearby Beal Road he approached her and grabbed at her tights and skirt. She was able to fight him off and he ran away.

The charge of rape related to an incident in New Road, Rainham, Saturday July 25, when Egoruvwe assaulted a 21-year-old woman on her way home from work.

The woman was approached from behind by Egoruvwe, who dragged her into nearby bushes and forced to perform oral sex on him.

Police have also released information about other offences, including one when Egoruvwe began masturbating while sitting next to a 16-year-old girl on the top deck of a 103 bus between Romford and Dagenham East on April 2.

He also committed an identical offence to a 23-year-old woman on July 27 - just hours after the incident in Ilford - on a 174 bus from Romford to Rainham.

Egoruvwe pleaded guilty to all offences at a hearing in November. He has been placed on the sexual offenders register for life.

Officers were able to retrieve vital DNA from one of the incidents, which linked him to a series of others.

Detective Sergeant Rob Dawson from the Sapphire Unit: "This is an extremely dangerous and relentless individual who continued to commit more serious and violent offences.

"As soon as officers were able to make a DNA link he was swiftly apprehended. I hope his victims feel some comfort in the knowledge that he admitted his offences and has now been sentenced."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been a victim of Egoruvwe or of incidents similar to those should contact DS Rob Dawson at Havering Sapphire Unit on 01708 779685, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.