PHILIP GONSALVES FROM LEWISHAM JAILED FOR RAPE AT KENSINGTON HOTEL

In a significant development in the pursuit of justice for historic crimes, Philip Gonsalves, a 63-year-old man residing on Ladywell Road in Lewisham, has been sentenced to serve 15 years in prison after being convicted of the heinous act of raping a young girl at a bed and breakfast in Kensington over three decades ago.

The incident took place in the early hours of October 29, 1987, when the victim, a 12-year-old girl, was staying at the Longridge Road B&B with her parents. She was in her own room at the time of the assault. The case remained unresolved for many years, with police investigations initially failing to identify or charge any suspect. Authorities responded to the scene at the time, but no immediate arrests or charges were made, leaving the case cold for years.

It was only through the advancements in DNA analysis and forensic technology that the Metropolitan Police’s Cold Case Unit was able to revisit the case. As part of their ongoing efforts to re-examine unsolved crimes, investigators linked DNA evidence from the scene to Gonsalves, leading to his arrest on July 26 of the previous year. He was formally charged on August 6, 2016.

Following a thorough trial at Woolwich Crown Court, Gonsalves was found guilty of the serious offence of sexual assault against a minor. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to serve a 15-year prison term and will be registered as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crime and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Detective Chief Inspector Zena Marshall, who oversees the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command of the Metropolitan Police, emphasized the department’s unwavering commitment to justice. She stated, “We are committed to bringing offenders to justice and will not stop pursuing all investigative lines of enquiry, however old. With the advancements of DNA, we are constantly reviewing opportunities to support survivors in finding justice.”

The hotel where the assault occurred has since been closed, and the case stands as a stark reminder of the importance of technological progress in solving cold cases and delivering justice for victims who have waited decades for answers.