A woman has been jailed for more than six years after luring a 17-year-old schoolgirl into her home, locking her in and subjecting her to a serious sexual assault.
Karen Murerwa, 34, approached the victim on March 10, 2026, while the girl was walking nearby in Nottingham. Murerwa, who was unknown to the girl, convinced her to come back to her house in Seaton Crescent under the pretence of needing her help.
Once inside the property, Murerwa locked the door. The victim, feeling scared and wanting to go home, tried to look for the keys.
Manipulative behaviour and assault
Murerwa tightened her control over the girl. Her manipulative behaviour included giving her alcohol, taking her phone and making her send a message to her mum saying she was with a friend.
The girl was then taken upstairs and subjected to a sustained sexual assault by Murerwa before she was eventually let out of the house.
Court proceedings and sentencing
Inquiries were carried out after the victim disclosed what had happened to her, and Murerwa was subsequently arrested and charged.
Murerwa pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and a further count of false imprisonment. She was jailed for six years and four months when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, September 10.
She was also made subject of a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders' Register indefinitely.
Judge and police commend victim's bravery
After passing sentence, Judge James Sampson commended the girl for her bravery in reporting the matter, adding that by doing so she "may have saved another child from a similar experience".
Detective Sergeant Nicola Roddis-Ferrari, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Murerwa deliberately targeted this vulnerable young girl, coerced her into entering her home and restricted her movements before sexually assaulting her.
"Murerwa's actions have had a huge impact on this girl's life. She had been kind to Murerwa and wanted to help her, only for her to repay that kindness by sexually assaulting her.
"I hope this court result brings some closure to the victim and allows her to move on from what must have been a very traumatic ordeal.
"I'd like to commend her bravery for coming forward, as I know it would have taken great courage to speak to our specially-trained officers about what happened and relive her horrendous experience.
"I also hope this court result gives encouragement to any other victims that they can come forward in the confidence that we will listen carefully to them, we will investigate, and we will do everything we can to seek justice for them."
