On 27 June 2025, the Metropolitan Police were informed of a rape reported to have occurred at a residential address in the New Cross area of London. The victim was a 14-year-old girl who had been walking alone in nearby Catford when she was targeted by Daryl German, aged 43, from Melfield Gardens, Lewisham.
German quickly exploited the girl's vulnerability, coercing her into accompanying him to his flat, where he subjected her to rape and assault by penetration. Following the initial assault, German invited his associate, Jordan Donely Wint, aged 31, from Winterstoke Road, Lewisham, to the address. Upon Wint's arrival, both men became aware that the victim was a missing child but failed to contact her family or the police, demonstrating their sinister intent. German also sent explicit messages to a third associate, Deon Smith, aged 45, from New Cross Road, Lewisham, referencing sexual contact with the victim. Subsequently, the girl was taken to Smith's address, where she was raped again by Smith.
The swift investigation, led by Detective Constable Jack Best of the Metropolitan Police, involved reviewing CCTV and digital evidence, which identified German as the principal offender. Strong forensic and digital evidence enabled the arrests of all three men within the first week of July 2025, with charges filed on the same day. The victim was safeguarded immediately and supported by specially trained officers throughout the process.
In January 2026, at Woolwich Crown Court, German was convicted of arranging travel for exploitation, three counts of rape, assault by penetration, and two counts of making indecent images of a child. He was sentenced on 10 April 2026 to 15 years' imprisonment, with an additional three years on extended licence. Wint was convicted of one count of rape and one count of assault by penetration, receiving six years' imprisonment. Smith was convicted of one count of rape and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment. All three men were placed on the sex offenders register for life, with a combined sentence of 29 years.
I extend my thanks to the victim, whose exceptional resilience and determination has proved crucial to the successful prosecution of three dangerous individuals,
Detective Constable Jack Best, Metropolitan Police
The Metropolitan Police's investigation highlighted their transformed approach to rape and sexual offences, more than doubling the number of charged cases since 2021. This case underscores ongoing efforts to tackle child sexual exploitation through advanced digital forensics and monitoring of sex offenders.