Man sentenced for multiple sexual offences against teenage girl

Met detectives have brought a historic case to justice by seeing a man jailed for committing multiple sexual offences against a teenage girl almost 30 years ago.

Colin Moore, 58 (04.06.66) of Grove Lane, Southwark was sentenced to 15 years in prison on Friday, 22 November at Isleworth Crown Court for all nine counts he was convicted of.

The offences were four of rape and five of indecent assault against the same girl, now aged 41, between 1995 and 1999.

The court heard how Moore took advantage of the girl who was under the age of 16 at the time the offending started. Moore’s abuse took place over the next four years at locations in west and central London, including at the girl’s mother’s flat and at Victoria Station.

The girl, by now an adult, came forward and reported the abuse to police in 2020.

Detectives worked tirelessly to gather enough evidence, including voice recorded interviews with the victim-survivor, to unearth what had happened and build a case against Moore.

With the co-operation of witnesses who gave vital statements, Moore was arrested and subsequently charged with numerous offences.

He was found guilty on Friday, 24 May following a trial.

Detective Constable Laura Harcombe, who led the investigation, said:

“Colin Moore is a sexual predator who manipulated and abused a vulnerable young girl he knew, as well as lying to the police.

"We were able to build a comprehensive investigation - from so many years ago - to bring justice to an innocent young woman.

“This woman has shown incredible courage to report the abuse she suffered over a prolonged period of time to police and we thank her for coming forward - as well as the witnesses for the time they gave us to provide key evidence.

“We hope this sentence brings a semblance of peace to the woman at the centre of the case and allows a level of freedom to move forward with her life now she knows her abuser is behind bars.”

The victim-survivor in the case said:

“I’m elated to say that justice has been served. I overcame mental turmoil to fight for what is right.

"I’m very grateful to everyone who has supported this process and the network that has fed me motivation and courage throughout.

"After years of trying to forget the innocence that had been taken from my childhood, I wasn’t satisfied my abuser lived without consequence while I suffered the aftermath of his actions.

"I hope my story can inspire others to stand up against their abusers no matter the obstacles.

"Every woman deserves a voice; to speak up without fear and stand up against abuse”.

Police are working hard to identify and tackle the most dangerous and prolific perpetrators of violence against women and girls, identifying high risk and high harm offenders and locations.

The Met is committed to radically improving how it protects the public from harm, especially the violence women and girls suffer, as part of its New Met for London strategy.

We are putting more officers and staff into specialist teams to prioritise this critical work and target offenders, with officers and staff working more closely with partners across London to protect victim-survivors and bring offenders to justice.  

Find out more on how to report a rape or sexual assault https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rsa/rape-and-sexual-assault/how-to-report-rape-and-sexual-assault Always call 999 in an emergency.  

 If you’ve been a victim of rape or sexual assault, charities and support agencies can offer help and guidance:

Rape Crisis: 08085002222  

National Rape and Sexual Abuse Helpline: 0808 802 9999   

Survivors UK: 0203 598 3898 info@survivorsuk.org.  

Samaritans: 116 123 jo@samaritans.org