A rapist who locked a recently turned 16-year-old girl in his car before later taking advantage of her has been found guilty.

Himanshu Makwana, of Thurlby Road, Wembley, was found guilty of two counts of rape at Harrow Crown Court on Tuesday (November 12).

Both offences were four years apart, but they involved talking to his teenage victims through Snapchat.

In 2018, he talked to a girl, who was 18-years-old, through the social media app for a few months before they decided to meet.

He drove her to an empty office block, and once inside of the building, he raped her.

Although it was reported to police at the time, no suspect was identified.

Then in April 2023, Makwana posed as a 19-year-old called Samir on Snapchat to speak to his second victim, who only recently turned 16.

Later he parked on a street close to the victim’s school and waited for her to ask her for help.

She helped Makwana carry some books, but he then locked her in his car and told her he was ‘Samir’.

Makwana then gave the victim alcohol, drove her to an empty commercial building and raped her.

He was arrested on November 27 last year, a day after the second victim reported the crime.

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 December 22, 2023, and was remanded in custody ahead of trial.

Makwana will be sentenced at the same court on January 17 next year.

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 act on one woman and then did it again a few years later. I am delighted that the jury have found him guilty after a painstaking investigation.

“I want to thank the two brave young women who came forward and reported the offences to us and how patient they were with the investigation. Without their courage we would not be in the position we are today.

“This verdict shows how the Met is dedicated to tacking violence against women and girls. It does not matter how long ago an offence took place, we will work to secure a conviction.”