Three men jailed over horrific acid rape
Three men have been jailed over the horrific rape of a 16-year-old girl
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Monday, 19, Jan 2009 09:32
Three men have been jailed over the horrific rape of a 16-year-old girl that saw her doused in caustic soda.
The teenager was brutally raped before having acid thrown over her body, causing life-changing burns to more than 50 per cent of her body.
Today Roger McMorris, 18, from Tottenham, Jason Brew, 19, from north London, and Hector Muaimba, 20, were sentenced at Wood Green crown court after being found guilty of rape.
McMorris was handed a nine year jail sentence for two counts of rape and GBH, Brew was sentenced to six years behind bars for one count of rape and Muaimba ordered to spend eight years in prison after also being found guilty of one count of rape.
The horrific incident occurred in north London on January 9th last year and the men were found guilty in December.
During the three men's trial the court heard how the victim had a mental age of eight and had agreed to having sex with a man she knew, in the hope of being liked and popular.
She had agreed to meet the man near his home in Tottenham but was instead met by McNorris, someone she did not know.
He asked her to come back to his house so she did not get cold waiting. The three defendants then exchanged a series of phone calls before taking the 16-year-old girl to an unoccupied house locally.
Over the following two hours, the girl was raped orally and vaginally by the men. Afterwards they threw caustic soda over her body causing serious burns, before allegedly running away laughing.
The victim was found by a neighbour who had heard screams coming from the premises. She was found naked with her skin starting to fall off in patches, screaming she had been raped.
The teenager has been left permanently disfigured and still needs further medical treatment including skin grafts and plastic surgery.
Investigating police officer Detective Constable Alex Newton, from Haringey Sapphire Unit, said: "This has been a shocking and traumatic case. These men preyed on a vulnerable girl and plotted to take advantage of her. Raping her repeatedly wasn't enough; they then scarred her for life by throwing a corrosive substance over her.
"Their attitude in court has been disgusting. Some of them have been laughing and sniggering, they have no respect for anyone, and I'm delighted at the convictions.
"I would like to pay tribute to the hard work of the police and prosecution team in this case and also commend the bravery of the victim in standing up in court and giving evidence to ensure these men are brought to justice. It was incredibly difficult for her and she has overcome a huge personal hurdle."
The victim's family also released a statement following the sentencing.
"The past 12 months have been a very difficult time for us as a family. The trauma stress, depression, and hopelessness have all been too difficult to bear," the statement declared.
"We would not have been able to cope but for the great help and invaluable support from the police, doctors, staff at the various hospitals and clinics who have attended to and continue to attend to our daughter, social services, a local MP and his staff, pastors and church groups, our two families and well wishing members of our community. You all know who you are and we say many thanks to you all.
"We know the sentence imposed on the perpetrators of this hideous crime against our daughter, whatever and however we feel about it, will not bring sufficient justice and healing to our daughter. However, our hope and trust is in God, the supreme and ultimate judge of all, on his justice we can rely."