Rapist jailed for plying girl with drugs before attacking her at party in Brighton

A rapist plied a 16-year-old girl with cocaine before he forced himself on her at a bank holiday party in Brighton.

Mpilo Mthunzi, also known as Mike, was jailed for 16 years for raping the girl and having drugs with intent to supply after a seven-day trial at Lewes Crown Court.

Mthunzi, an unemployed 38-year-old, of Hereford Street, Brighton, denied the charges but was convicted by a jury.

He raped the girl in Upper Rock Gardens, Brighton, in the early hours of Monday 28 August last year – bank holiday Monday.

Judge Guy Anthony jailed Mthunzi, who comes from Zimbabwe, for nine years for rape and seven years for having class A drugs with intent to supply. The sentences will run consecutively.

Mthunzi will also be a registered sex offender for life and was given a sexual harm prevention order to last indefinitely.

The aim of the order is severely restricting his access to women and girls under 18.

Sussex Police said: “The young girl was at a party with several other people at the address in Upper Rock Gardens in the early hours of bank holiday Monday when he took her to one side, encouraged her into taking cocaine, then continued his advances, raping her in a bedroom before returning to the party.

“The girl was terrified but spoke to friends about the traumatic experience and eventually the police were informed.

“An investigation started immediately the report was received and Mthunzi was traced and arrested.”

Detective Constable Sophie Tullett, of the Brighton Safeguarding Investigations Unit, said: “This was an appalling experience for the young and very vulnerable girl.

“She was seemingly in an atmosphere of enjoyment and freedom, but the reality was very different.

“Mthunzi manipulated and coerced her into a situation which rapidly escalated out of her control, leaving her traumatised and struggling to cope with her life.

“If you have been the victim of sexual assault in situations like this, or know of anyone who has been, there is no need to suffer in silence.

“You can contact us online or by calling 101, quoting Operation Rock, and arranging to talk in confidence to experienced investigators.”