An
online sexual predator, who groomed a 13 year-old girl on Facebook
after meeting her socially, has been jailed for eighteen months.
Georgi
Ivanov, 19, of Welford Road, Creaton, Northamptonshire befriended the
under-age teen on the social network and turned their conversations
to sex.
He
pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to two counts of sexual
activity with a child.
Detective
Constable Sue McKenzie, from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual
Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "The
victim is a vulnerable child who was sexually abused by Ivanov, an
older man.
“She
has suffered considerable harm as a result of what happened to her
and it will take time to recover fully.
"I
commend her courage for seeing this investigation through to the end
and I hope this outcome will encourage other children who are being
groomed and exploited to tell someone what is happening so we can
protect them and other children."
The
victim met Ivanov in 2013 while out with a friend.
They
became Facebook friends and Ivanov's conversation with her quickly
became sexual even though it was clear from her profile she was just
thirteen.
He
invited her to his flat and, with little or no preamble, had sex with
her.
Afterwards
he expressed concerns, via their discussions on Facebook, that the
police could come after him due to her being underage.
However,
this did not deter him from meeting her on several more occasions to
have sex with her.
On
Monday, 9 December 2013 the victim was reported missing.
Officers
attended Ivanov's address and he denied the victim was there, but
when officers searched his then flat, at High Street, Penge, they
found her along with evidence they had just had sex.
Ivanov
initially denied knowing the victim was under age, only pleading
guilty when faced with the overwhelming evidence gathered from the
social networking site.
Detective
Inspector Jim Pryde added: "It is not acceptable for older men
to pray on children for their own sexual gratification.
“The
defendant knew the victim's age yet continued to abuse her believing
he would get away with it.
"I
believe there may be other children who have been abused by Georgi
Ivanov.
“I
urge them to come forward and, for that matter, any victim of sexual
abuse.
“We
have specially trained officers who work closely with our partner
agencies and will provide support."
Anyone
with information about Ivanov can call Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111.
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