Predators Sentenced to 21 Years for Raping Schoolgirl in Brixton
Two men have been jailed for a total of 21 years after being convicted of raping a 15-year-old schoolgirl whom they plied with alcohol and drugs. The victim, who was targeted at an Irish pub in south London, has described the profound and lasting impact of the attack on her life.
Details of the Attack
Nigerian national Fred Akinsanya, 34, and 29-year-old Daniel Raji approached their victim at Paddy's Yard pub in Brixton on February 8 last year. They bought drinks for the girl and her friends before inviting them back to Raji's flat under the pretence of smoking cannabis and dancing.
Prosecutor Diana Wilson told Inner London Crown Court that the victim's friends attempted to persuade her to leave as they grew uncomfortable, but she began blacking out and collapsed. The defendants then subjected the girl to a prolonged ordeal, with Raji filming the assault.
Victim's Impact Statement
In a powerful impact statement read to the court, the schoolgirl revealed she now finds it 'hard to trust people'. She described her attackers as 'disgusting' and declined to watch the footage of the incident, stating it was 'too stressful'.
The victim, who was in Year 10 at the time of the attack, explained how her school life has been severely affected. 'I didn't want to go to my lessons,' she said. 'I'm in Year 11 now, I still feel like my school life is being affected by the rape.' She has also stopped playing football, the only sport she enjoyed, due to a loss of confidence following the trauma.
Sentencing and Defence Arguments
Akinsanya, from South Croydon, was convicted of rape and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Raji, from Brixton, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of taking an indecent image of a child, receiving an 11-year prison term.
During the trial, defence lawyers attempted to mitigate the sentences. William Pope, representing Raji, cited his previous good character and claimed the defendants believed the girls were over 18, suggesting Raji thought he was having a 'one-night stand'. Anne Faul, defending Akinsanya, described him as 'a lost soul, somewhat vulnerable' and highlighted his partial paralysis from a previous attack, which she argued made prison life more difficult.
Judge's Remarks
Judge David Richards dismissed the defence arguments, stating it should have been obvious the girls were underage from their behaviour. 'The whole tenor of that group is of schoolgirls,' he remarked.
In sentencing, Judge Richards emphasised the severity of the crimes. 'She's lost her self-confidence. She can no longer go out. She will live with this for the rest of her life,' he said of the victim. Addressing the defendants, he added: 'The fact that you two abused her one after the other clearly aggravates the matter. The victim was harmed for a long time. Alcohol was used to render her vulnerable, the effect of the alcohol was exploited by both of you. Whilst incapable, she was raped by both of you.'
Broader Impact
Prosecutor Diana Wilson highlighted the girl's vulnerability, noting she was 'young and naive and vulnerable and unconscious' during the attack. Wilson described how the sociable, outgoing teenager has become isolated, unable to leave her house, with her schoolwork suffering and feeling unable to seek counselling. 'It may be thought that that's beyond the normal level of psychological harm,' Wilson concluded.
The case underscores the devastating consequences of such predatory behaviour on young victims, with the court recognising the lifelong trauma inflicted.
