A man has been jailed for repeatedly sexual abusing a young girl over four-years before raping her in a hotel room.

Jose Bantina-Lubangusu, 53, of Wick Road, Hackney Wick, was found guilty of rape, sexual assault and sexual touching of a child under the age of 13.

In a trial that ended at Wood Green Crown Court on December 21 last year, Bantina-Lubangusu was convicted of repeatedly sexually abusing the young girl.

He was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment at the same court on February 29 in 2024.

The girl, who was known to Bantina-Lubangusu, was subjected to years of sexual abuse and raped in Sacha's Hotel, Manchester, in January 2022, the court heard.

She was just 12 when the sexual abuse started and 16 when she was raped, it was added.

Detective Constable Hannah Burgess, from the child abuse investigation unit, said: “The bravery this young woman has shown throughout is commendable.

"It is due to her that Jose Bantina-Lubangusu has been put before the court and made to face the consequences of his disgusting and evil crimes," DC Burgess added.

Bantina-Lubangusu was also given a ten-year sexual harm prevention order.

During the four years of sexual abuse, Bantina-Lubangusu groomed the girl, sometimes leaving money in her shoes and claiming she could pay it back by having sex with him.

The girl told her sister about the abuse in December 2022 and a report was made to police.

Bantina-Lubangusu was arrested and detectives began to compile evidence against him, including an audio recording of him admitting to the abuse.

Despite "damning" evidence, Bantina-Lubangusu plead not guilty and after a two-and-a-half-week trial, the jury found him guilty of the attacks.

DC Burgess said: "Throughout the investigation, detectives have built a comprehensive case against Bantina-Lubangusu while keeping this young woman at the heart of our work.

"I hope seeing him jailed can offer her a small degree of comfort and relief during what has been an extremely difficult time for her,” she added.