Man Jailed for Abducting and Sexually Assaulting 11-Year-Old Girl

Samuel Cortez, of Nether Street, North Finchley, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court last Thursday (November 10) for the abduction and sexual assault of an 11-year-old girl.

The court heard that the girl was at a bus stop near Sussex Ring in Woodside Park on September 30, 2021, when she was approached by Cortez at 4pm. She was told he had a knife before she was grabbed by the wrist and taken to the park and sexually assaulted.

An appeal was launched after CCTV footage showed the suspect in the area, and Cortez was arrested on December 15 last year. Cortez pleaded guilty to the sexual assault of a child under 13.

He was jailed for nine years for sexual assault and sentenced to three years and nine months' imprisonment for child abduction, to run concurrently. The judge ruled Cortez would be on licence for five years after completing his sentence and must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Constable Chris Finnegan of the North West Command Unit said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the young girl, but she, with the support of her family, has shown immense courage and strength in supporting our investigation."