A paedophile who groomed, manipulated and sexually abused a young girl in Hackney has been jailed following a Met investigation.
Anthony Maina, 52 (21.05.71), of Allen Road, Stoke Newington, was sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, 21 September.
Maina was previously found guilty of 17 offences on 18 May, namely seven counts of rape, eight counts of assault by penetration and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Detective Constable Stefan Wimmer of Central North Command Unit worked closely with the survivor and her family over three years in order to build a case against Maina. He said: “As the investigating officer, I can quite frankly say that this is some of the most vile and despicable psychological manipulation and sexual abuse I have ever encountered in my policing service. It is sickening to think that individuals like Maina exist.”
The survivor went to her local police station in December 2018 to report the sexual abuse she was subjected to, which was becoming unbearable for her.
Measures were immediately put in place to ensure that she was safe from further harm and an extensive investigation was commenced. The investigation was complex and involved a number of nuanced and lengthy enquiries.
Maina, who occupied a position of trust, had exploited his position in order to groom her and ultimately commit the vilest sexual offences. He would regularly buy her gifts, clothing, food and mobile phones in an attempt to gain her loyalty. He would also try to normalise the abuse he was committing by referring to her as ‘his girl’ and his ‘best friend in the universe’.
If she hadn’t contacted him for any longer than a day he would accuse her of having ‘neglected’ him, and if she met up with anyone her age he would claim that they were a ‘bad influence’ on her.
Maina’s actual aim was to isolate the survivor from all of those around her and prevent her from confiding in anyone regarding the abuse he was committing. It was also to gradually knock away at her confidence to prevent her from questioning what he was doing.
He would ask the survivor to come to his property under false pretences, such as to receive a parcel or let some workmen in, and would abuse her. When she began to challenge this, he would suggest to her other family members she was being insolent and unhelpful, to in effect force her to come to his property.
DC Wimmer continued: “As is consistent with his character, Maina did not show a flicker of remorse over the course of the investigation, and tried to claim in interview the survivor was merely a ‘troublemaker’ in an attempt to discredit her.
“The survivor, on the other hand, has shown an immense amount of patience, courage and resolve since the moment she came to police and I have nothing but admiration for her. It is because of her bravery in coming forward and assisting police that Maina is behind bars. I hope that the sentence provides her with some solace, and that in time she can put this horrific episode of her life behind her.”
The survivor herself wished to say the following: “To all survivors that are going through any type of abuse, I would encourage you to come forward because I didn’t think that I’d get this outcome, but I did, and now that he’s sentenced he’s going to prison for many years, and I won’t have to endure him anymore. You shouldn’t feel worried, you just need to be patient and strong. It will be a weight off your shoulders.”
Detective Superintendent Charmaine Laurencin of the Met’s Central North Command Unit said: “I am immensely proud of the investigating officer for the dedication and commitment they have shown to a complex and disturbing investigation. It is with thanks to their perseverance and care to the survivor, a vile predator is where he belongs.
“We will listen to and support anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago it was. There are dedicated, specialist teams with specific training who will work with you and investigate.”
