Online Paedo Locked-Up For Raping 12 Year-Old Girl

A paedophile, who groomed a 12 year-old girl online then encouraged her to perform a sex act on him in a stairwell when they met for a 'date' will remain locked-up under the Mental Health Act.

Sami Tesfay, 22, (pictured) from Lewisham, south-east London made contact with the girl on a social networking site and arranged to met her and a friend on January 19.

They met again and four days later on January 23 he persuaded her to go to his home address, where the sex offence took place.

He was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court of raping the girl and was sentenced to remain under a section 37 hospital order and was given a section 41 indefinite restriction order.

Detective Constable James Taylor of Sapphire, which invesigates sex crimes said: "Tesfay used a social networking site to befriend his victim.

“He groomed her, gained her trust and exploited her for his own needs.

“The victim has now seen him convicted for what he did to her. 



"This case highlights the negative side of social media and the need for parents to be vigilant around who their children are communicating with online.

“This successful outcome I hope should encourage other victims of sexual crime to come forward and report what has happened to them." 



Detective Chief Inspector Pete Thomas, said: "Tesfay befriends vulnerable children and exploits them. In this case the victim was beguiled by his attention and belief that he was sincere about their relationship. 



"He has now been found guilty and will be held in a secure facility to prevent harming others.

“Anyone who has been a victim of rape should come forward and tell us what has happened so we and other agencies can provide them with the necessary support."