Migrant who raped and impregnated 15-year-old virgin after do-gooder cabin crew blocked his deportation back to Africa is jailed for ten years.

Hi and welcome to this Video Production News Court & Sentencing Report.

Anicet Mayela, a Congolese immigrant granted asylum in the UK after years of deportation battles, has been

sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for the Rape of a 15-Year-Old British School-Girl.

Oxford Crown Court heard harrowing details of his crime, which resulted in the young victim becoming pregnant, and his continued refusal to accept guilt added to the case's tragic complexity.

Mayela, 41, fled the Republic of Congo in 2004, citing alleged threats to his life. His initial asylum application was rejected by the Home Office, but he successfully appealed the decision in 2010 after several Deportation attempts failed.

One deportation in 2005 was thwarted when Air France cabin crew refused to carry him aboard a flight to Brazzaville. Following claims of mistreatment by immigration handlers and legal appeals citing human rights concerns, he was released and granted leave to remain.

Ironically, shortly after his release, Mayela joined a campaign to close Campstield House Detention Centre, where he had been held. He was famously photographed there holding a placard reading:

"Migrants are not criminals,"

He became the visible face and poster boy of pro-migrant advocacy-a stark contrast to the crime that has now sealed his fate.

The court heard that Mayela raped his victim in December 2023 in a drunken attack where he forced the girl to remove her clothes before launching the assault. The girl's ordeal only came to light after a pregnancy termination note was discovered.

When questioned, she revealed the assault, and Mayela initially admitted guilt, pleading guilty to one count of rape in April 2024.

However, he later sought to vacate this plea, a move rejected by Judge Nigel Daly in September.

Prosecutor Edward Lucas described the case's aggravating factors, including the victim's young age and the pregnancy that resulted. The attack, Lucas stated, represented a "serious risk of harm to pubescent girls," with a pre-sentence report concluding that Mayela posed a significant danger.

In her sentencing, Judge Maria Lamb condemned Mayela's actions as a:

"Terrible offence committed in guilt."

Addressing the impact on the 15 year old victim, she said:

"It was her first sexual experience, and the misery you caused that child, who became pregnant as a result, must have been extreme. Despite everything that has happened to her, she is a remarkable young woman who has found it possible to forgive you."

Judge Lamb highlighted Mayela's refusal to accept responsibility for his actions, saying:

"You continued to deny your offence. Your sentence will be no longer for that, but you do not have the benefit of remorse. The victim does not have the succour of knowing that you acknowledge your guilt."

The judge added that Mayela's mitigation was "limited," noting his claim of spiraling into alcohol abuse following the death of his wife.

Mayela was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison. He will serve two-thirds of his term before being eligible for release on licence. In addition, he was placed on the sex offenders' register for life and is subject to lifetime restrictions under the Sexual Offences Act, including a ban on working with children.

Mayela sobbed in the dock as the sentence was handed down, assisted by a French interpreter.

This case has drawn attention not only for its horrifying details but also for the stark contrast between Mayela's past advocacy and his crime. Once a vocal protester against the criminalisation of migrants, his actions have irreparably harmed a 15-Year-Old-Girls girl life and shattered the trust afforded to him by the UK's asylum system.

The sentencing of Anicet Mayela at Oxford Crown Court not only concluded a tragic case of sexual violence but also underscored the serious legal consequences of rape, particularly involving an underage victim. Here, we examine the relevant laws, the implications of his sentence, and the possibility of deportation upon his release.

ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing

As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:

Under UK law, rape is defined under Section 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. It involves intentionally penetrating another person with a penis without consent, where the perpetrator either knows there is no consent or does not reasonably believe there is consent. The law is clear: children under the age of 16, the legal age of consent, cannot legally consent to sexual activity.

In this case, Mayela’s victim was underage, and his actions resulted in her becoming pregnant. This significantly aggravated the crime, as the court considered both her age and the emotional and physical harm caused. Such cases carry severe penalties to reflect society’s condemnation of such acts and to deter similar offenses.

Mayela pleaded guilty to one count of rape under the Sexual Offences Act, though he later attempted to vacate his plea. The court rejected his application, with Judge Nigel Daly citing the unequivocal nature of his original guilty plea.

Sentencing and the Sexual Offenders Register

Mayela received a sentence of 10 years and 10 months in prison, of which he will serve two-thirds before being eligible for release on licence. Judge Maria Lamb emphasized the “misery” his actions caused to his victim and noted his lack of remorse as a factor limiting mitigation.

As part of his punishment, Mayela has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, this designation ensures lifelong monitoring, imposing strict reporting requirements and restrictions on his activities to protect the public.

He is also prohibited from working with children and will be subject to further controls under the Sexual Offences Act for the rest of his life.

Potential Deportation Upon Release

Mayela’s conviction raises the prospect of his deportation once his sentence is served. Under Section 32 of the UK Borders Act 2007, any foreign national sentenced to more than 12 months in prison is subject to automatic deportation, barring exceptional circumstances.

This law was introduced to protect public safety and ensure that those who commit serious offences in the UK are removed upon completing their sentence. However, deportation decisions are not automatic in all cases. Defendants may appeal against removal on the grounds of their right to a family or private life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Mayela’s immigration history complicates matters. He was granted asylum in 2010 after successfully challenging his deportation on human rights grounds. It remains to be seen whether he could mount a similar challenge in the future or whether his conviction will outweigh such considerations.

The law surrounding rape and underage victims is uncompromising, reflecting society’s zero-tolerance stance toward such crimes. Mayela’s sentence, combined with his inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensures a significant degree of accountability and public protection.

However, the possibility of his deportation following his release raises broader questions about the balance between immigration law and public safety. This case stands as a stark reminder of the legal framework’s role in addressing both crime and its consequences.

Well, that's all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I'll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-Large

VPN City-Desk

citydesk@vpnldn.co.uk