In 2022, Rufat Kasamaj, the Leyton Paedophile, a sexual predator, assaulted a vulnerable adolescent after she became alone from her pals at a location in Westfield Stratford retail complex.
Rufat Kasamaj, 36, had premeditatedly pursued the 15-year-old before escorting her to a remote alleyway and perpetrating a sexual attack upon her in a flowerbed.
The young victim was at the club Bat and Ball with her friends, which nearly faced revocation of its licence due to the incident.
She was provided a drink despite being underage, with Metropolitan Police Officer Gary Watson notifying Newham Council that there was no intervention from pub personnel, even though the group appeared “considerably less” than 18 years old.
On September 4, 2021, at approximately 10:30 PM, she was significantly intoxicated and was approached by Rufat Kasamaj, who was recorded on CCTV monitoring her.
Prosecutor Tim Forster informed the Old Bailey: “She became estranged from her companions after one of them engaged in a confrontation, and according to her account, the defendant began to touch her.”
“She informed him of her lost friendships, and he endeavoured to provide her with reassurance; however, the Crown asserts that this was evidently a facade,” he remarked. He informed her that he would assist her in returning home. He acted in direct contradiction.
He continued: “From the instant he assisted her in standing, he consistently supported her physically, even guiding her away from a seat when she wished to sit.”
“He is observed with his hand inserted into the rear of her leggings.”
After escorting her outdoors, he was shown on CCTV directing his victim towards a section of concrete benches to perpetuate the assault.
Although the victim seemed “completely unresponsive,” passersby continued to stroll by, drawing the notice of Rufat Kasamaj.
“Consequently, the Crown posits that the defendant pulled the victim deeper into a flowerbed and extended his reach to retrieve her handbag in order to perpetrate the more egregious elements of the sexual assault and rape,” Mr Forster added.
Subsequently, they remained beyond the surveillance cameras’ view for a further 20 minutes, during which he assaulted her despite her pleas and cries of “please don’t hurt me.”
The prosecutor stated: “Upon exiting the concealed area, the defendant fastens his trousers and departs with minimal regard for his surroundings.” The victim subsequently appears disoriented and shaky, approaching bystanders.
A nearby neighbour jogging assisted her in contacting her father and accompanied her home to reunite with her family at the train station, who subsequently notified the police.
Subsequent to the assault, Rufat Kasamaj was observed revisiting the crime scene on two separate occasions.
Subsequent to a police inquiry, he was detained and asserted that he had been “unconscious” during the assault.
Nevertheless, the prosecution observed that there was “no indication from his demeanour to suggest he was intoxicated.”
Taking the witness stand in person, his victim tearfully said that she had been left “constantly reliving my worst nightmare” and that she had been forced to miss out on her education and take medication due to stress.
“I had to sleep with my bedroom light on through fear and anxiousness. I had loads of sleepless nights, crying myself to sleep with thoughts of suicide running through my head. This is what you had done to me,” she said.
Rufat Kasamaj, an Albanian national, pleaded guilty to one count of rape.
Judge Mark Dennis KC sentenced him to ten and a half years in jail, stating: “On 4 September of the previous year, you perpetrated a heinous crime, inflicting a traumatic experience on your 15-year-old victim, exhibiting no compassion or regard for her suffering in the pursuit of your own sexually violent gratification.”
“Although you had consumed alcohol that evening, the CCTV footage indicates that you were not intoxicated.” You deliberately exploited a vulnerable woman who was evidently unable to defend herself against such an attack.
“You identified and exploited her youth and vulnerability, irrespective of the irreversible damage you would cause her.”
Rufat Kasamaj, from Leyton, received a sentence of ten and a half years, accompanied by a five-year extended licence period.
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the people highlighted on this website, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report to Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.