A man who systematically groomed, manipulated, and subjected a young girl to sexual abuse in Hackney has been sentenced to 28 years’ imprisonment following a comprehensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Anthony Maina, 52, residing at Allen Road, Stoke Newington, received his sentence at Wood Green Crown Court on Thursday, September 21. Maina had previously been found guilty of 17 charges on May 18, including seven counts of rape, eight counts of assault by penetration, and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Detective Constable Stefan Wimmer, a member of the Central North Command Unit, worked diligently with the survivor and her family over three years to build a case against Maina. DC Wimmer expressed the profound gravity of the case, stating, “This is some of the most vile and despicable psychological manipulation and sexual abuse I have ever encountered in my policing service. It is sickening to think that individuals like Maina exist.”
The survivor, overwhelmed by the torment she was enduring, sought help and reported the sexual abuse to her local police station in December 2018. Immediate protective measures were put in place to ensure her safety, and a comprehensive investigation was launched. The case was intricate, involving numerous nuanced and protracted inquiries.
Maina, who held a position of trust, exploited his role to groom the young victim and perpetrate heinous sexual offences against her. He consistently showered her with gifts, clothing, food, and mobile phones in an attempt to manipulate her loyalty. Maina employed various tactics to isolate the survivor from her support network, going as far as labelling her as ‘his girl’ and ‘his best friend in the universe.’
If the survivor did not contact him for even a day, Maina accused her of neglect, and if she spent time with peers her age, he labeled them as a ‘bad influence.’ His ultimate aim was to isolate her entirely and prevent her from disclosing the abuse. He systematically eroded her self-confidence to deter her from questioning his actions.
Maina would fabricate reasons for the survivor to visit his property, such as receiving a parcel or allowing workmen in, and would then subject her to abuse. When she began to challenge this, he manipulated her family members, portraying her as insolent and unhelpful, effectively coercing her to visit his property.
DC Wimmer noted that Maina displayed no remorse throughout the investigation and attempted to discredit the survivor by branding her a ‘troublemaker’ during interviews. Conversely, the survivor demonstrated immense patience, courage, and determination from the moment she reached out to the police. Her bravery played a pivotal role in Maina’s incarceration.
The survivor conveyed a powerful message, urging other survivors to come forward: “To all survivors that are going through any type of abuse, I would encourage you to come forward because I didn’t think that I’d get this outcome, but I did, and now that he’s sentenced, he’s going to prison for many years, and I won’t have to endure him anymore. You shouldn’t feel worried, you just need to be patient and strong. It will be a weight off your shoulders.”
Detective Superintendent Charmaine Laurencin of the Met’s Central North Command Unit commended the investigating officer’s dedication and commitment to a challenging and disturbing case. She emphasised the Met’s unwavering support for abuse survivors, underscoring the existence of specialised teams with specific training ready to listen, support, and investigate cases, no matter when they occurred.
