Facebook Rapist Jailed For Attacking 13 Year-Old Girl

A rapist, who had befriended his under-age teen victim on facebook and attacked her in a community centre after persuading the youngster to meet him, has been jailed for eight years.

Gholahun Shittu, 24, of Kingswood Estate, Dulwich told the 13 year-old schoolgirl he had money for her and she travelled with a friend on a bus to the rendezvous.

He was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury of one count of raping the girl during her school's half-term holiday in February, last year and was also placed on the sex offenders register for life and given a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

After Shittu started having online conversations with the victim, he pestered her repeatedly to meet him, claiming he had money to give to her. 



Having met with Shittu, the victim left her friend at nearby shops and went with him to a local community centre.



He led her into the community centre and asked to have sex with her.

She declined and tried to use her phone as she became scared and Shittu then grabbed her around the neck and raped her.



The allegation was reported to police in March and an investigation was launched by officers from the Sexual Offences and Child Exploitation Command.



Shittu was arrested on May 2and charged with rape. 



Detective Constable Lisa Tame said: "Shittu took advantage of a vulnerable and impressionable girl. He denied his actions throughout the investigation and pleaded not guilty at court. 



"I'm pleased that the court has found him guilty and I hope that today's sentence will reassure the victim and help her start the healing process."



Acting Detective Inspector Nikki Owen added: "I would like to praise the courage of the thirteen year-old victim. I hope that with the support of our partner agencies she can start to rebuild her confidence and trust.



"Social networking sites bring great benefits but can also present a serious threat.

“I encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual assault, or has experienced incitement to share indecent photographs, to report these offences to police."