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Trio jailed for more than 34 years after gang rape of girl, 13, lured from Tube station and back to flat
14 October 2024, 11:01 | Updated: 14 October 2024, 11:11
Three men have been jailed after a 13-year-old girl was lured from a Tube station and back to a flat where she was raped.
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The victim left her home address on 30 September 2023 and travelled into London where she encountered the three defendants at a tube station in Hammersmith.
They lured her back to Maxwell’s flat where she was raped by all three.
During the investigation, police recovered video footage of the attack.
On Friday, Paul Maxwell, 24, of Wood Lane Estates, W12 was sentenced to 12 and a half years.
Kayon Bhola, 29, of no fixed address, and Jeremiah Jackson 24, of Longford Court, W12 were both jailed for 11 years.
The Metropolitan Police said detectives gathered a combination of forensic evidence, CCTV and phone analysis.
CCTV showed the group travelling from the station towards the flat.
Phone analysis also revealed a short video clip of the three men carrying out their attack.
This evidence played a significant part in convicting the three men.
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Police arrest Paul Maxwell
'Alone and vulnerable'
The victim read out a victim impact statement, a part of which said: “I have gone over the date a million times thinking of what I could have done differently to change the outcome of what happened to me.
"No matter what I change, it would’ve ended the same way.
"This is because these three men, fully grown men, knew exactly what they were going to do as soon as they saw me at Hammersmith.
"I was caught alone, and vulnerable. But that shouldn't have mattered.”
All three defendants were found guilty of rape following a three-week trial at Southwark Crown Court on July 22.
Maxwell was also convicted of an additional count.
All three men were given Sexual Harm Prevention Orders lasting 15 years.
Police arrest Jeremiah Jackson
'Horrendous actions'
Detective Constable Will Murphy, who led the investigation, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for her ongoing support in this case and for her extreme bravery in coming forward and reporting this to police.
“This has been a challenging investigation, however due to the dedicated efforts of my team we were able to secure convictions.
"I hope the victim feels that justice has been served.“
Today’s sentencing highlights how despicable this crime was and Maxwell, Bhola and Jackson will now face the consequences of their horrendous actions.
"The Met is here to support victims of sexual assault, and to provide the best care we can. Please do not hesitate to come to us.”