Semi-pro footballer jailed for sexual offences

A semi-pro footballer who raped and sexually assaulted seven females between 2011 and 2017 has been jailed for 28 years, with four years to be served on license.

Jonathan Diba-Musangu, 12/10/1997, of Fernhurst St, Chadderton, met most of his victims through a church in Rochdale where he taught Sunday School and music classes and worked in focus groups for young adults alongside his budding career as a footballer.

Detectives from GMP launched an investigation in 2018 following a report of sexual assault. During this time, the 23-year-old played football for multiple clubs. In mid October 2018, he signed a semi-professional goalkeeper at Mossley FC. Shortly afterwards that month, detectives arrested him for several offences.

The court heard that in one instance, he raped a seven-year-old girl when he was 14 or 15 years old in the presence of another young boy at an address in Rochdale.

Diba-Musangu was jailed for five counts of rape, assault of a child, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault of a child under 13 and three counts of sexual activity with a child. 

He was jailed today (24 September) for 28 years at Minshull St Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Julie Maxwell, from GMP's Rochdale district, said: "It's taken immense bravery for these victims to come forward and cooperate with us as we pieced together his gruesome acts.

"Diba-Musangu abused his position of power within the church and may have well had a successful footballing career ahead of him before the work of detectives have led to where he is now - behind bars.

"I hope that today's sentencing provides a sense of justice to the victims and their families and serves as a warning to other offenders."

Inspector Maxwell added: "I encourage young people who are - or anyone else who suspects a young person is - being inappropriately contacted by an adult ­– whether in person or via the internet ­– to report it to an appropriate adult or agency. This could be a parent, carer, teacher or the police.”