'Predator' jailed for raping teenage girl after using Whatsapp to lure her to car park in Newham

A dangerous predator who enticed a teenage girl into a car park by offering her money before raping her has been jailed for 13 years.

Wasee Chowdhury, 25, was also convicted of taking indecent photographs of children and pleaded guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Jurors at Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how Chowdhury, of Dragonfly Close Newham, used Whatsapp messenger to groom a 16-year-old girl.

He lured her into a car park in Newham in March 2016 after offering her the chance to make £1000 by looking after money for him.

Once they were alone in the car park, Chowdhury forced the girl into a gas meter room and raped her.

Upon his arrest in March 14 police analysed Chowdhury's phone and discovered evidence of him grooming two other girls, both under the age of 16, over Facebook.

And officers found images of him engaging in sexual activity with two children.

He was subsequently charged and was found guilty of a string of sexual offences.

Detective Inspector Mark Rogers, of the Met's Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, described Chowdhury as a “dangerous offender who exploits children via social media platforms”.

He said: “He entices children with offers of money before going on to sexually assault them and make indecent videos.

"This investigation clearly highlights the potential dangers of social media platforms. Chowdhury is a predator, who will now be monitored for life and the sentence imposed highlights the severity of the crimes he has committed.”

On Friday, he was sentenced for rape, two counts of taking indecent images and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

Chowdhury will have to serve at least two thirds of his prison sentence in custody and will be a registered sex offender for life.

He has also been given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which prevents him having any contact with any female under 18, without the knowledge of their parent or guardian.

One of the investigating police officers, DC Spencer Thomas, said: "Wasee Chowdhury preyed on a vulnerable child who he groomed online before subjecting her to rape.

"We want to praise the courage and bravery of all the victims in giving evidence against Chowdhury and would like to encourage any young person who has been the victim of sexual violence to tell someone you trust or inform the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."