Man found guilty of raping child in Hertfordshire after 'grooming and deceiving' youngster
A man has been found guilty of raping a child in Hertfordshire and blackmailing the youngster.
Bryan Mavinga, aged 24 of Beaumont Road, London, was found guilty of four counts of rape and blackmail on Wednesday at St Albans Crown Court.
Hertfordshire Constabulary revealed that Mavinga used deception to groom and blackmail the child. St Albans Crown Court heard that Mavinga, also known as Mav, used a false online identity and deception to gain the trust of a child from Hertfordshire before subjecting them to sexual abuse and blackmail over a period of two years, starting in 2024.
Detective Constable Daniel Auchincloss from the force’s Sexual Offences Investigation Team said: “This case demonstrates how offenders can use false online identities, deception and coercive tactics to exploit children. We would encourage anyone who has experienced sexual abuse or sexual violence to come forward and report it, no matter how long ago it happened.
“All victims of sexual offences are entitled to automatic lifelong anonymity, and any reports will be handled with the utmost sensitivity. There is support available and you will be listened to.”
It took three hours and 17 minutes for the jury to return unanimous guilty verdicts regarding the crimes. Mavinga will be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on September 29.