A “vicious” rapist currently serving a life sentence for a series of terrifying attacks on young women has been convicted for a further two offences.

Michael Chandler, 53, of no fixed address, was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of five years at the Old Bailey on Monday.

Between 1985 and 1987, Chandler carried out a series of vicious, sexually-motivated attacks on young women across northwest London.

In 1988, Chandler was found guilty on six counts of rape.

He was acquitted of offences against three victims but was sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 14 years. He has remained in custody ever since.

On 27 March 1986, a 30-year-old woman had been with friends at a pub close to where she worked. She left the pub at around 11.30pm and made her way home.

The victim went to bed but awoke later to find her hands bound behind her back and Chandler lying on top of her. Chandler raped the victim before fleeing the scene via an open window.

At around 1am on March 1 1986, a then 19-year-old woman was walking through West Harrow Park when she noticed a man hiding behind a tree.

Chandler, who was wearing a balaclava and holding a knife, jumped out in front of the victim and began hitting her and dragging her by her clothing. He forced the victim over a fence towards the railway line and instructed her to remove her clothing; he then raped her, threatening her with the knife throughout the attack.

Forensic technology was limited in the 1980s so the case could not proceed due to a lack of evidence.

However forensic evidence gathered at the time was retained in storage for three decades and, with the advancement of forensic techniques, further DNA analysis was undertaken as part of a recent review. Chandler pleaded guilty to both offences at a trial at the Old Bailey earlier this month.

Detective Sergeant Michael McInerney from the Met's complex case team said both women were subjected to violent and sustained attacks.