Wednesday 9 July 2014

Facebook Paedo Who 'Groomed' 13 Year-Old Girl Is Jailed


An online sexual predator, who groomed a 13 year-old girl on Facebook after meeting her socially, has been jailed for eighteen months.
Georgi Ivanov, 19, of Welford Road, Creaton, Northamptonshire befriended the under-age teen on the social network and turned their conversations to sex.
He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Detective Constable Sue McKenzie, from the Metropolitan Police's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "The victim is a vulnerable child who was sexually abused by Ivanov, an older man.
“She has suffered considerable harm as a result of what happened to her and it will take time to recover fully.


"I commend her courage for seeing this investigation through to the end and I hope this outcome will encourage other children who are being groomed and exploited to tell someone what is happening so we can protect them and other children."


The victim met Ivanov in 2013 while out with a friend.


They became Facebook friends and Ivanov's conversation with her quickly became sexual even though it was clear from her profile she was just thirteen.

He invited her to his flat and, with little or no preamble, had sex with her.


Afterwards he expressed concerns, via their discussions on Facebook, that the police could come after him due to her being underage.


However, this did not deter him from meeting her on several more occasions to have sex with her.


On Monday, 9 December 2013 the victim was reported missing.
Officers attended Ivanov's address and he denied the victim was there, but when officers searched his then flat, at High Street, Penge, they found her along with evidence they had just had sex.


Ivanov initially denied knowing the victim was under age, only pleading guilty when faced with the overwhelming evidence gathered from the social networking site.


Detective Inspector Jim Pryde added: "It is not acceptable for older men to pray on children for their own sexual gratification.
“The defendant knew the victim's age yet continued to abuse her believing he would get away with it.


"I believe there may be other children who have been abused by Georgi Ivanov.
“I urge them to come forward and, for that matter, any victim of sexual abuse.
“We have specially trained officers who work closely with our partner agencies and will provide support."


Anyone with information about Ivanov can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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