A TEENAGER sentenced for violently raping a 16-year-old girl has also been sentenced with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Adrian Kanty, of Milk Street, Bromley, took part in the gang rape of the girl in Queens Gardens, Bromley, at 11.30pm on April 16 last year.

Kanty, who was 17 at the time, denied the offence but changed his plea ahead of his trial, which was due to begin on November 13.

On February 6 at Croydon Crown Court, Kanty received seven-and-a-half years and will also serve an extended licence of five years.

He was officially named on February 26, the day of his 18th birthday.

Following his crown court appearance, Kanty appeared at Bromley Youth Court, additionally charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The charge stemmed from Kanty writing to his girlfriend while he was on remand in prison awaiting trial for rape, urging her to force the victim to withdraw her allegation.

Police found the letters when they searched his girlfriend's home.

Kanty initially denied the offence, but admitted it when he appeared in court.

Magistrates sentenced Kanty to an extra eight months in prison on top of the sentence passed at Croydon Crown Court.

Kanty's girlfriend was alo charged with obstruction and received a nine-month referral order after appearing at Bromley Youth Court on July 27 last year.

It emerged the 18-year-old had provided a false alibi for Kanty to police on the night of the attack.

However, CCTV and eyewitness accounts proved she had not been with him.

Two other teenagers who also took part in the rape have also been sentenced.

Mohammedet Hassan and Geron Miller, both 18, also denied raping the girl, but changed their pleas ahead of the same trial date.

Unemployed Hassan, aged 18, was arrested at his home address in Concorde Way, Surrey Quays, on April 17, last year.

Miller, aged 19, who is also unemployed, was arrested at his home in Trenholme Road, Anerley, two days later.

On February 6 at Croydon Crown Court, Hassan and Miller were both jailed for an indefinite period for public protection.

During sentencing, Judge Kenneth Macrae said the defendents had "behaved like animals" and adopted a "pack mentality".

He said: "Their conduct was callous and the victim had been used for their self-gratification."

An 18-year-old member of the public who intervened in the attack and brought it to a stop, was awarded £500 for her bravery.

Speaking exclusively to News Shopper, the woman described how she left her home after hearing the victim's screams and approached the three boys.

She said: "I went into the park and saw them there. One of the boys was holding the back of her head and forcing her to perform a sex act.

"I said 'how can you do this to a little girl?' and they dropped her. I went to her immediately, picked her up and tried to walk her out of the park. She was so upset, her hair was everywhere and she had mascara running down her face.

"The boys were walking next to us saying things like 'Do you both want some more then?' I got her to a phone box and she called her mum and they left."

The woman was not interviewed by police until she approached forensic officers in the park the following day and explained what she had seen.

Following the sentencing, she said: "I hope they rot. I know I put myself at risk by approaching them but I was just worried about that poor girl.

"I hope she recovers from this and gets on with her life."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Emma Jiggins said: "This was a vicious and frightening attack on a defenceless young woman.

"All three of the defendants displayed a blatant disregard and disrespect for her welfare as they took it in turns to rape her. All decent-minded people will appreciate how terrified she must have been.

"Thankfully she has had the strength to come to court and provide her evidence. Her family have been a source of constant support to her and I am sure she will continue to rebuild her life.

"I hope that the strength of the sentences sends out a clear message to the young men convicted of these offences. Their behaviour was entirely unacceptable and society will not tolerate such conduct."