Police hunt suspect after 1980s east London rape allegations

Detectives investigating allegations of rape and sexual assault going back more than 30 years have released an e-fit image this week of a suspect they want to question.

The man they’re looking for is James Smith, also known as Jimmy Smith, last seen in east London 16 months ago.

The investigation follows allegations of offences said to have happened in the East End between 1981 and 1987 against two victims under 18 at the time.

The allegations were first reported to police in 2013, but detectives have been unable to trace Jimmy Smith over the past four years.

Smith moved to east London in 1980 from Glasgow, where he was a bus driver, and was living in Poplar. He was last reported seen in November, 2015, at the George Tavern in the Commercial Road in Stepney.

He had light ginger hair and would now be aged 65 to 75. The e-fit gives an idea of how detectives believe he might look today.

Police are appealing for anyone with information to contact Det Con Hannah Stewart on 020-8217 6552, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555111.