A 19-YEAR-OLD rapist who targeted vulnerable young women has been jailed indefinitely today (Feb 5).

Gary Henery, a sales assistant from Wickham Lane, Abbey Wood, pleaded guilty on January 7 to four charges of rape.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how Henery would flatter vulnerable girls with attention and sympathy, use internet chatrooms to contact them, then text to arrange meetings in secluded places such as parks, gardens and wooded areas.

He was arrested and charged last February after one 18-year old victim told her family how she met up with Henery on January 31 last year in Plumstead where he took her into some bushes and raped her.

Further investigation revealed how in 2005 Henery had raped a 15-year old girl, when he was 16.

He persuaded her to meet him and went with her to Plumstead Common where he tied her to a tree and put her school jumper in her mouth to quieten her.

The victim did not tell anyone until two years later but the case did not proceed at the time as the victim said that she could not cope with any more stress.

She was contacted after Henery's arrest last year and, once she was reassured he was in custody, agreed to make a statement to police.

Another charge related to the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

The girl's mother found a message of a sexual nature from Henery on her daughter's computer.

It emerged that on one occasion he had met the girl at Danson Park in Bexley, took her to a secluded garden and raped her.

As the 2009 investigation was proceeding, detectives were alerted to an allegation from a 16-year-old that Henery had raped her many times in 2007 when she was 14.

After today’s sentencing, Detective Constable Sam Nottle, of Greenwich Sapphire unit, said: "Undoubtedly, Henery might have carried on in this manner if it had not been for the bravery of the victims who have come forward to help us mount a case against him.

"He clearly thought he would continue getting away with his activities as long as he chose girls who were unhappy emotionally or otherwise vulnerable. They softened to him as he offered sympathy and apparent affection.

"Rape is a serious crime and Henery did even more damage by choosing victims who were already having problems coping with life and each of his victims have been affected by what he has done to them.”