In a landmark case for the safety of vulnerable individuals, a man who approached and later groomed and sexually abused a young girl in Hackney has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The conviction comes as the result of a diligent investigation by local officers from the Central East Command, who acted swiftly upon receiving a disclosure of the abuse from the survivor.
Dwayne Aitken, a 43-year-old resident of Brooke Road, Stoke Newington, was found guilty of numerous sexual offences, including three counts of rape, after a trial that concluded on August 17. On September 12, he appeared at Wood Green Crown Court where he received his sentence. In addition to his prison term, Aitken was issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Rob Johnston, the lead investigator on the case, expressed the severity of Aitken’s crimes and commended the strength and courage exhibited by the young survivor. DC Johnston stated, “Aitken carried out horrific sexual abuse on a young girl, and the evidence we gathered during this investigation left the jury with no doubt as to his guilt.” He also reassured the public of the Metropolitan Police’s steadfast commitment to bringing sex offenders to justice and protecting vulnerable individuals.
The court proceedings revealed that Aitken specifically targeted the 13-year-old girl after approaching her on February 24, 2019, along Brooke Road. He identified himself as ‘Sean’ and instructed her to wait for him in Stoke Newington Common. Feeling scared and unsure of what to do, the girl sought help from her friends, who advised her to return to Aitken’s flat, where they confronted him about her age.
Despite the group’s attempt to protect the victim survivor by claiming she was 11-years-old, Aitken persisted in his abusive behavior. Other meetings followed, during which he sexually abused her on multiple occasions, fully aware of her age. Disturbingly, some encounters occurred while she was still in her school uniform.
The survivor, now 17 years old, bravely voiced her anguish in court, expressing the profound impact that Aitken’s actions had on herself and her family. She emphasised that she would not allow herself to be defined as solely a victim, encouraging others who have experienced or are enduring sexual assault to find their voice and seek justice. She urged fellow survivors to seek support from those who will listen to their stories and guide them through the difficult process.
The investigation into Aitken began on January 30, 2020, when the girl’s school alerted police after receiving disclosures from her via Social Services. This prompt action led to an immediate investigation into child sexual exploitation. Aitken was subsequently arrested on February 13, 2020, and was issued with a Child Abduction Warning Notice.
Following his arrest, Aitken was charged on September 30, 2022, and the subsequent trial resulted in his conviction for multiple offences, highlighting the gravity of his actions and the impact on his young victim.
