A 27-year-old man who raped a girl on her 12th birthday had been jailed.
Dragos Moisica, of High Street, Edgware, raped the vulnerable victim in a hotel in Kenton, after grooming her by lavishing her with attention and showering her with gifts.
The Romanian national, who was found not guilty of three counts of rape against another girl, was sent to prison for 12 years.
The victim first met Moisica, who has a pair of lips tattooed in red on his neck, when she moved into the area aged just 11.
His crimes were exposed when the victim told a social worker she'd had sex with a 27-year-old man she called 'John' in November 2013 at a hotel where 'John' was staying.
A police investigation was launched and the victim revealed further details, including Moisica's real identity.
She said he had given her gifts for her birthday and that she loved him and thought he felt the same about her.
Moisica preyed on a vulnerable young girl, professing his love for her and showering her with attention, gifts, food and cigarettes
<p>Detective Constable Mike Penn</p>
Following the investigation, Moisica was arrested outside his home, and he was subsequently charged.
Moisica was jailed on Tuesday, October 6 at Harrow Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault on a child under 13.
He had pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial to sexual activity with a child under 16.
Detective Constable Mike Penn, of the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: "Moisica preyed on a vulnerable young girl, professing his love for her and showering her with attention, gifts, food and cigarettes.
"All the time he was plotting to have sex with her.
"A 12-year-old girl cannot legally consent to sex and it is only right Moisica will now serve a long period behind bars for rape."
