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A man who groomed a young girl by giving her art supplies and taking her on day trips before raping her has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
John Angeli, 60, was found unanimously guilty of 12 charges including rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault on a child under the age of 13 following a trial at Luton Crown Court in December.
In addition, he also pleaded guilty to four counts of rape, voyeurism, and possession of indecent images of a child.
Over the course of several months, Angeli deliberately groomed the young girl in a Bedfordshire town giving her money, sweets and drinks to coerce her into believing they were in a relationship. He then raped and sexually assaulted her, filming some of the abuse.
At court Judge Allison Hunter highlighted the level of grooming Angeli went to, he said: “You set about grooming her from the outset so that she believed she was having a loving relationship that you persuaded her was completely appropriate for her age.”
On Friday (3 January), Angeli, of Steeplestone Close, London, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 14 years.
He will be placed on licence for life and will be subject of an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and restraining order.
Detective Constable Bryony Ballin, from Bedfordshire Police’s Protecting Vulnerable People team, said: “Child sexual abuse is a most horrendous experience; it not only ruins a child’s young years but stays with them through into adulthood.
“We work hard to tackle all forms of abuse against children and would urge anyone who has concerns that a child is being sexually abused, or has been a victim themselves, no matter how long ago, to come forward.
“It’s never too late to report a crime. When you are ready, we are here.”
Reports of sexual assault, even if non-recent, can be made to the police by calling 101 or via our online reporting centre.
Find out more about the national When You Are Ready campaign