A RAPIST who dragged a woman off a busy Hull street and kept her captive could have more victims.
Ybrah Haylemaryam, 28, has been found guilty of imprisoning and raping two woman in separate attacks eight years apart.
Police believe he may have struck on numerous other occasions and are now appealing for more victims to come forward.
Haylemaryam abducted a 20-year-old student in 2004 as she was walking along Spring Bank after a night out in the city centre.
He forced her back to his flat nearby and subjected her to a terrifying attack.
However, a lack of evidence meant Haylemaryam – an Ethiopian asylum seeker – was allowed to walk free.
He has only now been brought to justice after carrying out a similar crime.
Detective Constable Kathryn Lindley said: "As these offences span several years there is every chance that there are further women who have suffered at the hands of Haylemaryam and I would urge them to come forward in order that further charges can be considered."
Haylemaryam watched his first victim carrying her shoes and followed her down the road, before forcing her back to his flat and raping her.
She tried to call for help on her mobile phone but the battery was flat.
Giving evidence at Hull Crown Court, the victim said: "I was terrified. I was frightened to fight because I felt really vulnerable in his flat.
"I just kept saying 'I don't want to'. I started to cry but he didn't care. He slapped me across the face.
"I thought 'I'm never going to see my family again, I'm going to die, he is going to kill me'."
Afterwards, she told Hayle- maryam she needed to use the bathroom and managed to escape.
But despite reporting the attack to the police and Haylemaryam being interviewed, he was not charged because it was her word against his.
It was only when another victim told the police she had been raped by him last year that the original investigation was reopened.
Judge Mark Bury warned Haylemaryam he faces a lengthy prison sentence.
"I would be surprised if these were the only two victims," the judge said. "It wouldn't surprise me if more were to come forward.
"You have been convicted by the jury on sound evidence of a number of sex offences against young women. They are disturbing and awful. There are elements of aggressive verbal and physical violence. You ignored them when they protested against you.
"An extended sentence may be necessary.
"All the offences involved detention. They appear to show that you will not stop at anything.
"This will be a sentence that extends well into double figures."
The court heard Haylemaryam raped another woman in her 20s last year after she went on a date with him.
When she refused to have sex with him, Haylemaryam forced himself on her.
He has now been convicted of two counts of false imprisonment, four rapes and three sexual assaults on two women.
The court heard Haylemaryam is an Ethiopian asylum seeker, who has been living in the Spring Bank area of Hull for nine years. The judge will seek his deportation from the country following his sentence.
Detective Inspector Alan Bentham said: "Officers from Humberside Police's public protection unit are appealing to any further women who may have been subjected to attacks from Ybrah Haylemaryam to contact them.
"Haylemaryam has been convicted of numerous rapes and sexual assaults against two women.
"We praise the victims in this case for having the courage to come forward, having been put through horrendous ordeals by Haylemaryam, who falsely imprisoned them and subjected them to violent, sexual attacks."
Victims should call the police on 101.
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