NIGEL POPO FROM LEYTONSTONE SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE

In a case that has shocked the community of Leytonstone, east London, Nigel Popo, a 44-year-old man, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The crimes, which spanned nearly eight years, involved repeated molestation and threats that left the victim emotionally scarred and robbed of her childhood.

Popo's abuse began in June 1999 at an address in Leytonstone, where he targeted the girl, who was only eight years old at the time. Over the years, the assaults continued, with the victim being subjected to his predatory behavior until she reached the age of 16. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Popo would abuse her 'whenever he could,' with some episodes lasting over an hour. After each assault, he would attempt to smooth things over by acting kindly towards her, creating a confusing and manipulative environment that made it difficult for her to understand what was happening.

The prosecution, led by Julia Needham, detailed how the young girl was threatened with death if she ever disclosed the abuse. She tried to resist physically, attempting to push him away, but Popo would restrain her, leaving her feeling helpless and trapped. The victim testified that she felt she had no choice but to lie there, harboring feelings of hatred towards her abuser. As she grew older, her resistance increased, and she would often refuse to comply with his demands. Despite her refusals, Popo continued to threaten her with violence, maintaining control through fear.

The assaults ceased only after her 16th birthday, when she finally refused to let him continue, feeling that she no longer cared about the consequences. The girl’s courage in coming forward led to Popo's arrest on May 17 of this year, after she reported the abuse to the police. During the investigation, Popo denied the allegations, dismissing them as false and claiming that the girl was fabricating the story.

Following a retrial at Snaresbrook Crown Court, a jury found Popo guilty of four counts of indecency with a child and three counts of sexual activity with a child. The judge, Judith Hughes, emphasized the severity of the crimes, noting that the abuse occurred over a period of eight years, predominantly when the victim was between 12 and 15 years old. She highlighted that the victim had lost her childhood due to the prolonged abuse and sentenced Popo accordingly.

In addition to his prison sentence, Popo will be subject to a sexual offences prevention order, which will restrict his access to children under 16. He is also required to register as a sex offender for life. During the sentencing, Popo, who maintained his innocence, was seen waving and blowing kisses to his loved ones in the public gallery as he was led out of the dock, dressed in a black jacket and jeans.

His defense lawyer, Mark Tomassi, stated that Popo believed he should not have been convicted and expressed his intention to appeal the verdict. Popo, a resident of Leytonstone, continues to deny all charges, insisting that the allegations are unfounded. The case has left a lasting impact on the Leytonstone community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and the protection of vulnerable children from such predatory individuals.