Chadderton semi-pro footballer jailed for sexual offences

Jonathan Diba-Musangu

A semi-professional footballer from Chadderton 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 (aged 23), of Fernhurst Street, 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, Diba-Musangu played football for multiple clubs.

In mid-October 2018, he signed a semi-professional contract at Mossley FC, whee he was a goalkeeper.

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 on Friday (September 24) for 28 years at Minshull Street 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.”

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