An international footballer raped a woman in a London bar - and now police are urging any potential further victims to come forward.

Former Dartford FC and Sierra Leone goalkeeper Alhaji Sesay is today beginning a 10-year jail sentence after being found guilty following a four-week trial in Bristol.

Sesay caught on CCTV

The 22-year-old, who spent six months on loan at Darts last season, denied two counts of rape and two of attempted rape following separate incidents at venues in Bristol and north London in 2019 and last summer.

Sesay, of Greenwich, was found guilty of three attacks and was cleared of one of the rape allegations made by a woman in Bristol.

He was jailed for four years for the Bristol attempted rape, six years for the London rape and six years to run concurrently for an attempted rape committed in the capital.

A jury heard how Sesay, who also played for Bristol City, entered the women's toilet of a nightclub in Bristol city centre in July 2019.

Once inside he approached a woman who was entirely unknown to him, pushed her against the wall and sexually assaulted her through her clothing and attempted to force her to commit a sex act on him.

Security at the venue were alerted to the incident and Sesay was detained by staff until police officers arrived.

He was arrested and during interview denied the allegation stating that he had ‘entered the female toilets looking for a woman whom he had kissed earlier in the night' but had not assaulted anyone. He was subsequently released under investigation pending further inquiries.

In August 2020 police were called to a bar in north London where a woman had been sexually assaulted in the toilets by a stranger.

Officers attended the venue where the victim had been pushed into a cubicle by Sesay, who attempted to rape her. When he was unsuccessful he forced her to perform a sex act on him.

Following the attack Sesay left the venue in a vehicle but came back to the bar when he was encouraged by his friends. He was arrested at the scene.

In police interview on this occasion Sesay claimed that the victim had consented to sex.

He was remanded in custody and was charged on Monday, August 31.

DC Toby Hayes of Bristol CID, said: “Alhaji Sesay is a predatory sexual offender who would brazenly target women at random at nightclubs.

“The victims have all been through a harrowing experience.

"I want to pay tribute to their incredible bravery and courage for reporting the offences committed against them, for giving crucial evidence in court and for supporting our investigation, which has resulted in this dangerous sexual offender being brought to justice.

"I would also like to thank the many members of the public who assisted with our enquiries and helped to ensure justice was served.

“Due to the nature of Sesay’s offending, it’s possible there are other victims out there who haven’t yet reported incidents to us.

"I would encourage them to place their faith and confidence in the police and come forward. You will be listened to, believed and respected. If you don’t want to speak to the police, please speak to someone.”

DC Kim Davies, who led the investigation from the Met’s Public Protection Team, said: “The actions of Alhaji Sesay were clearly that of a predator.

"He has on two separate occasions subjected women to violent acts in what should be a safe and private space.

"He has shown no remorse for his deplorable behaviour and the verdict is welcomed as it highlights that there is a price to be paid by those committing sexual offences, and that price is their freedom."

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