Man sentenced to seven years and ten months for grooming and sexually assaulting teenage girl

A 29-year-old man has been sentenced to seven years and ten months in prison after he groomed and sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in Northampton.

Ioan Christian Moise, 29, previously of Northampton, pleaded guilty to twelve offences earlier this year after he spent a number of days in January 2021 with the girl at a hotel.

During this time, he committed several sexual offences against her.

An investigation was launched when her family reported their concerns and after some fantastic detective work by Northamptonshire Police’s CID, Moise was arrested on January 17. He was subsequently charged and remanded straight into custody.

At Northampton Crown Court earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to all offences, and today (February 25) was sentenced to seven years and ten months in prison.

He was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order against the victim which will last until she is 18.

Lead Investigator - DC Howes, said: “Ioan Moise is a predatory man who took advantage of this girl to satisfy his own perverted desires. Even when he knew that police were looking for him, he continued to spend time with her, repeatedly sexually assaulting her in a Northamptonshire hotel.

“I am so pleased therefore, to see that he has been handed seven years and ten months in prison and as a result, a dangerous sex offender will be off our streets for a long time, unable to hurt anyone else.

“This result is brilliant and a testament to the hard work, diligence and dedication of the detectives who investigated this case and it is because of them that Ioan Moise had no other option but to plead guilty. 

“I would also like to thank the CPS lawyer who worked closely with the investigation team to achieve this outcome. This was an evidence-led prosecution where the victim did not want to go to court and give evidence and she continues to receive our support. 

“This case therefore also demonstrates our ability to still secure convictions and protect the public through other available evidence.

"Finally, I want to thank the case builder - Naomi Langhorne, whose work on this case has been invaluable.”