A rapist has been caught after his victim described distinctive rings - including one marked 'Dad' - that he wore on his hand.

Daniel Webb, of Southfields in south-west London, was wearing two gold sovereign rings and the Dad ring when he attacked a 23-year-old woman after she got off a night bus in May.

Detectives were able to match the victim’s description of his jewellery with an entry on the police intelligence database dating back to earlier dealings with the sex offender. A computer search for possible local suspects came up with Webb’s name, a court has heard.

Webb, 22, of Southfields, south-west London, admitted three counts of rape, two of sexual assault by penetration and one count of robbery at Kingston Crown Court on July 16. He will be sentenced on Wednesday.

According to the Metropolitan Police, he followed his victim for about half a mile as she got off a bus near Tibbets Corner roundabout and walked towards Southfields at 4.30am on May 4. He grabbed her and dragged her into some bushes beside the road, forced her to the ground and repeatedly raped her in a 15 minute ordeal.

The victim told officers from Wandsworth CID that her attacker was a white man with a goatee beard. He was wearing gloves but took them off when he started to attack her, allowing her to notice the three distinctive rings on his left hand.

When detectives entered the word "rings" into the police intelligence database, searching for information about sex offenders locally, Webb’s name came up straight away. His home was near the scene of the rape.

Officers found Webb at home at 2pm on the same day, wearing three heavy gold rings on his left hand as described by the victim, according to the Met Police. He was arrested and the victim’s iPod was found during a search of his home.

Detective Chief Inspector John McFarlane, of Wandsworth Police, said: “The local officer performed a first rate service here, employing good observation skills and a shrewd approach that was to pay off at a later date when someone saw his comments about the distinctive rings and made a match.

“This case highlights the benefits of local policing teams, knowing the community they serve.

“Regular interaction between Safer Neighbourhood police teams and local criminals builds good local knowledge. Webb was rounded up in the fastest possible time as a result.

“We must also commend the victim for her bravery in this case and the way she was able to provide such a good description, despite the ordeal she had suffered. I know the knowledge that Webb is off the streets will help the victim to get on with her life and try to get back to normal.”

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