Paul Hunt has been jailed for 18 years (credit: Met Police)
Paul Hunt was found to have groomed a girl, who was under the age of 13 – both raping and sexually assaulting her on various occasions in his house between 2006 and 2008.
In 2018, the girl (by now an adult), confronted Hunt and reported the matters to police.
Officers undertook an investigation which involved gathering evidence and witness statements from over ten years previously.
The 35-year-old man was arrested but refused to answer questions during his police interview and was later charged.
Hunt was found guilty of rape and sexual assault at the conclusion of a trial on Friday, 16 June.
He was sentenced to 18 years in prison and issued with a Sexual harm Prevention Order following a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Thursday, 29 June.
DI Jeremy McDermott of the North East Command Unit said: “Hunt exploited and took advantage of a vulnerable child on numerous occasions.
“He told the victim that she would not be believed. Despite this, she showed commendable bravery in coming forward and providing such strong evidence to police and at the trial.
“I hope that the sentence handed down will bring her a small measure of comfort and a sense that justice has been done.
“I would like to encourage anyone who has been a victim of a sexual crime to come forward and speak to police; they will be supported and their voice too can be heard.”
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Tags: Newham, Stratford, Rape
