A MAN went on a robbing spree threatening lone women with a machete and raping one of them down a secluded alleyway, a court heard.

Donovan Smith, 43, of Hungerdown, Chingford, is accused of stalking women travelling on buses in Chingford, Walthamstow and other parts of London.

He followed his victims off buses and threatened them at knife point until they handed over their valuables or complied with his demands, it is alleged.

Smith denies the 23 charges against 11 alleged victims.

When arrested in Highams Park carrying a 26cm blood-stained machete, he told police he was using it to make jerk chicken.

At Snaresbrook Crown Court today, Tim Devlin, prosecuting, told the jury that Smith followed a “standard pattern” during the robbing sprees in March and May of this year, following lone women in the early hours of the morning and targeting those listening to iPods.

Mr Devlin told the court that the first victim was travelling from Walthamstow to a cleaning job in Chingford on the N22 bus when she got off the bus in New Road and crossed the leisure centre car park.

The 38-year-old woman said in a police interview that it was just a normal day until she felt someone grab her from behind and hold a knife against her back.

She said: “He said, “shh, shh, don't make a noise or I will kill you”. I tried to turn around and he was grabbing me and pointing the knife at me.

“I tried to talk to him and tell him, “please don't hurt me, I have children and I am just going to work”. I grabbed the knife and it cut my hand. I was scared and thought he was going to stab me. "Eventually I thought there was no point in trying to fight him because I thought I would get killed.”

The woman said the man forced her down the alleyway behind the Frankie and Benny's restaurant, where he raped her twice and told her that if she didn't make a noise he wouldn't kill her. Afterwards, he ran off and she called the police.

Mr Devlin told the court that the victim's description of her attacker matched the person seen on CCTV following her off the bus and also Smith.

He told the jury that fibres from the rape victim's coat were discovered by detectives on Smith's top when he was arrested months later.

The court heard that another alleged victim, a 10-year-old girl, was waiting for a 212 bus in Kings Road, Chingford, on May 2, when she was punched and dragged away from the bus stop, but was released when she put up a struggle.

On May 8 at 1am, a woman reported being followed off the 212 bus from Walthamstow Central to Sky Peals Lane, where a man with a Jamaican accent threatened her with a machete and stole her phone and iPod.

On May 9, just after 5am, a couple got off a N26 bus and were seen on CCTV being followed down Walthamstow High Street before being robbed at knifepoint in Northcote Road.

Hours later, a 22-year-old woman was sitting at a bus stop in Winchester Road, Highams Park, when she was dragged at knife point to an alleyway and robbed, it is alleged.

Shortly after, a 45-year-old Polish nun, was robbed at knife point at a nearby bus stop after sitting listening to prayers on her iPod, the court heard.

Four women are also alleged to have been kidnapped and robbed of their valuables by a man wielding a machete in two separate attacks in Hackney and in Clapham on May 5.

The same day, a woman was followed off the 277 bus in Hackney and robbed off her handbag.

Prosecutors say the victims' description and the man seen on CCTV video evidence from buses and in streets matches Smith, and that he was picked out in identity parades by several of the victims.

On May 13, police arrested Smith near his home in Hungerdown, Chingford, following a burglary in The Avenue, Highams Park. Blood found on machete Smith was carrying matched one of the victims, the court heard.

Stolen items were also seized, including Oyster cards traced to have been used on several of the days of the attacks.

On arrest, Smith denied the rape. He said he was at home with his wife on May 9 and refused to comment on the Hackney attacks.

The trial continues.