An 82-year-old rapist who attacked an elderly woman 15 years ago was spared a lengthy jail sentence because he has dementia.

Verley Gordon was 67 when he attacked his 66-year-old victim in the garden of a derelict house in Streatham.

He targeted the woman after meeting her at a bus stop on the morning of June 26, 1993.

Although a DNA sample was retrieved at the time, it was not until two years ago, after Gordon was cautioned for attacking a fellow care home resident, that a match was obtained.

Frail Gordon, who suffers from dementia and lives in a southwest London care home, was not fit to plead to two sex charges.

But jurors at Southwark Crown Court took three hours to decide he “did the act”.

Gordon stalked the woman after offering her money to join him for a walk.

But she crossed the road 'horrified and disgusted' at the stranger's advances, said prosecutor Michael Mulkerrins.

He added: “The defendant followed behind her.”

The victim, who suffered high blood pressure, was forced to rest on a grassy mound on Streatham Hill where she took off her shoes.

Mr Mulkerrins said: “He said to her she had a lovely body and she felt frightened and worried.

“She wanted to get away - the defendant got hold of her arm. She couldn't believe in a busy street in London anything untoward could happen.”

She tried to shake him off through a gap in the wall but found it was a dead end and Gordon had grabbed her hand.

The lawyer added: “She was screaming but no one came to her assistance.

“She then realised no one was coming to help her. Instead of providing her with an escape route the confined garden was a trap she couldn't get away from.”

Gordon climbed on top of her, undressed her and raped her.

She struggled and protested she had not had sex for 12 years, the court heard.

Gordon then pulled up his trousers and calmly walked off.

She immediately reported the attack to Brixton Police and prepared a photo-fit picture but Gordon remained at large.

The victim was unable to give evidence at the trial.

Gordon, of the Joybrook Care Home in Braxtead Park, Streatham, was found to have committed rape and attempted rape.

Adjourning the case until January 26, Judge John Price yesterday said though he was considering imposing a supervision order, but needed psychiatric reports.

He then turned to the jury and said: “I have never done a case like this before. It's fascinating.

“Because of his dementia, you weren't being asked to find if he was guilty, but whether he did the act.

“In normal circumstances, he would have been put away for a very long time, but with his dementia it would be pointless to lock him up.”