A man from Hampstead who raped a woman after she fell asleep on a night bus has been jailed for seven years.

Juan Calderon, 32, was found guilty today of rape and assault by penetration, following a five-day long trial at the Old Bailey.

The Ecuadorian national, who was studying at Kings College London, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for the rape and four years’ imprisonment for assault by penetration – sentences to run concurrently.

It follows his attack on a woman in her 30s after she had been out drinking with friends on the night of October 24, 2014.

At approximately 2am the following morning, she boarded the N13 night bus in the Aldwych area where she fell asleep.

Calderon, who was also on the bus, sat down next to the victim and within a minute of doing so, sexually assaulted the victim, putting his hand down her jeans.

He then led the victim off the bus and took her back to his home address in Kidderpore Avenue, Hampstead.

The victim said she had no recollection of the events on the bus or going back to Calderon’s flat. Her first recollection, the court heard, is of Calderon raping her and her saying no, and trying unsuccessfully to push him off her.

The victim then left, went home and called police.

Officer in the case, DC Jacqui Burns from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Calderon took advantage of a vulnerable woman who had been on a night out. As she travelled home, he sexually assaulted her, took her back to his home and raped her. I would like to take this opportunity to praise the victim for her courage and bravery in coming forward and I am pleased that he is now behind bars. I would encourage other victims of this type of crime to come forward, whatever their circumstances.”

Detective Inspector Neil Rawlinson from the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “The streets of London are that little bit safer now that Calderon has been imprisoned. He targeted a vulnerable woman and I want to assure the public that we will pursue all such offenders and bring them to justice. I would encourage anyone who has suffered in this way to report the matter to the police in the knowledge that they will be fully supported.”