An asylum seeker who defied numerous attempts to deport him has admitted raping a 15-year-old girl.
Congolese Anicet Mayela, 41, impregnated the girl in the horror sex attack in December last year, a judge at Oxford Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
Though he pleaded guilty to a single count of rape at the same court in April this year, Mayela still professes his innocence, and had previously made an attempt to vacate his original plea, which was thrown out by a judge in September.
The 41-year-old rapist, who was granted asylum in the UK after several failed attempts to deport him, was handed a 10-year, 10-month jail sentence today.
Judge Maria Lamb, sentencing, told the defendant he had committed "a terrible offence" against the 15-year-old complainant.
Judge Lamb said: "For her, it was her first sexual experience, and the misery that you caused to that child who became pregnant as a result must have been extreme.
"You continued to deny your offence. Your sentence will be no longer for that, but you don't have the benefit of remorse, and she doesn't have the support and assistance of knowing that you acknowledge your guilt."
Commenting on the victim impact statement, the judge added: "She is a remarkable young woman who, despite everything that has happened to her and everything that you did to her, has found it possible to forgive you."
MORE ON THE MIGRANT CRISIS:
Edward Lucas, prosecuting, told the judge the teenage victim had undergone an abortion in the months following the rape.
Mayela was first interviewed by police on March 13 this year, when he made "full admissions, but denied using any force on the complainant".
In court, the 41-year-old, who has lived in Britain for 20 years, required a French interpreter.
Following his court appearance in April this year, The Sun revealed that multiple unsuccessful attempts had previously been made to remove him from Britain before he was handed permission to stay.
It is understood that the Home Office refused Mayela's first asylum claim in 2004 - but he then successfully challenged the department's decision in the courts and was granted leave to remain on appeal in 2010.
A 2005 Institute of Race Relations (IRR) article says he was served three removal notices - in one attempt he left with a broken hand and in another his flight was said to have been grounded after the plane's crew refused to take him on board.
He will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he can be released on licence, and was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
Find Out More...
Congolese Anicet Mayela, 41, impregnated the girl in the horror sex attack in December last year, a judge at Oxford Crown Court heard on Tuesday.
Though he pleaded guilty to a single count of rape at the same court in April this year, Mayela still professes his innocence, and had previously made an attempt to vacate his original plea, which was thrown out by a judge in September.
The 41-year-old rapist, who was granted asylum in the UK after several failed attempts to deport him, was handed a 10-year, 10-month jail sentence today.
Judge Maria Lamb, sentencing, told the defendant he had committed "a terrible offence" against the 15-year-old complainant.
Judge Lamb said: "For her, it was her first sexual experience, and the misery that you caused to that child who became pregnant as a result must have been extreme.
"You continued to deny your offence. Your sentence will be no longer for that, but you don't have the benefit of remorse, and she doesn't have the support and assistance of knowing that you acknowledge your guilt."
Commenting on the victim impact statement, the judge added: "She is a remarkable young woman who, despite everything that has happened to her and everything that you did to her, has found it possible to forgive you."
MORE ON THE MIGRANT CRISIS:
- Asylum seekers handed free bus pass in Oxford scheme while other passengers pay up to £4.50
- 'Shocked and not surprised' Migration expert reacts to 'staggering' figures
- Kent Police confirm multiple illegal migrants detained after escaping lorry on M20
Edward Lucas, prosecuting, told the judge the teenage victim had undergone an abortion in the months following the rape.
Mayela was first interviewed by police on March 13 this year, when he made "full admissions, but denied using any force on the complainant".
In court, the 41-year-old, who has lived in Britain for 20 years, required a French interpreter.
Following his court appearance in April this year, The Sun revealed that multiple unsuccessful attempts had previously been made to remove him from Britain before he was handed permission to stay.
It is understood that the Home Office refused Mayela's first asylum claim in 2004 - but he then successfully challenged the department's decision in the courts and was granted leave to remain on appeal in 2010.
A 2005 Institute of Race Relations (IRR) article says he was served three removal notices - in one attempt he left with a broken hand and in another his flight was said to have been grounded after the plane's crew refused to take him on board.
He will have to serve two-thirds of his sentence before he can be released on licence, and was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.
Find Out More...