Vinh Van Vu

Vinh Van Vu, a 32-year-old resident of Manchester, has been sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison for the sustained sexual abuse of a young girl, which began when she was just seven years old. The offences, involving several counts of rape and sexual assault against a child under 13, took place over a period from 2011 to 2016 at various addresses in the Greenwich area of London.

According to reports from the Metropolitan Police, the abuse was reported to authorities on 15 February 2016 after the victim confided in Childline via an internet chat service multiple times. Following her disclosure, specialist officers attended her address, gathered further details about the years of abuse, and arrested Vu later that day. Vu was found guilty on 2 November following a trial, with sentencing occurring on 24 November at Woolwich Crown Court.

The court imposed a 15-year custodial sentence, extended by a five-year licence period, reflecting the severity and prolonged nature of the offences. Detective Sergeant Colin Cooper of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command described Vu as 'a dangerous individual who poses a serious risk to children', emphasising the importance of reporting such abuse to bring perpetrators to justice. This case, covered by IBTimes UK, highlights the devastating impact of child sexual exploitation and the role of support services in enabling victims to come forward.