ANDRIUS STYRA FROM PLAISTOW AND SOUTH NORWOOD SENTENCED FOR RAPE OF YOUNG GIRL IN SOUTH NORWOOD PARK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Andrius Styra, a 42-year-old man from Plaistow, was convicted and sentenced for the heinous sexual assault of a young girl in South Norwood. The incident, which took place in Brickfields Meadow, a well-known park in South Norwood, has left many residents appalled and seeking justice for the victim.

The events unfolded on August 10, 2017, when Styra, then 39 years old, arranged to meet a 12-year-old girl whom he had been communicating with online. The pair had begun chatting on a chat room website called E-Chat just a few days prior, on August 6, shortly after the girl received a new mobile phone for her twelfth birthday. During their online exchanges, both Styra and the girl exchanged messages containing sexual references, which raised concerns about the nature of their communication and the vulnerability of the young girl involved.

According to court proceedings, Styra and the girl agreed to meet in Brickfields Meadow, South Norwood. The girl, who is now 15, took her dog and her mobile phone with her to the meeting, which marked their first face-to-face encounter. The court heard that it was evident to the prosecution that the girl was a minor, and her age was apparent during the meeting.

During the encounter, Styra led the girl down a set of stairs into an underpass beneath the park. It was there that he committed the assault, climbing on top of her and forcibly pulling down her trousers. The court was told that Styra then touched her breasts and carried out sexual acts, which constituted serious criminal offenses. The girl was so distressed by the assault that she became physically ill shortly afterward.

Moments after the attack, the girl’s father, who was concerned when he could not reach her on her mobile phone, arrived at the scene. He immediately sensed that something was wrong when he saw his daughter crying and noticed Styra walking away in the distance. The father shouted at Styra, who continued walking and appeared to be adjusting his clothing, indicating an attempt to conceal his actions.

Later that evening, police were called to the scene. The girl was taken to a hospital, where medical examinations revealed injuries, including a hand injury and a slight bruise to her mouth. Forensic analysis confirmed the presence of Styra’s semen on her clothing and inside her mouth, providing crucial evidence linking him to the assault.

Styra was arrested later that night. During police questioning, he reportedly claimed that the girl had told him she was 18, a statement that was false and misleading. The investigation led to charges of rape and sexual assault by penetration. Styra pleaded guilty to both charges at Croydon Crown Court on August 4 of the same year.

On sentencing, Styra received a nine-year prison term for the rape charge and an additional four years for sexual assault by penetration. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve the longer term of nine years before being eligible for parole. The case has highlighted the dangers faced by young children online and the importance of safeguarding minors from predatory individuals.