Former Mossley goalkeeper jailed for rape and abuse of children and women

A former Mossley Goalkeeper has been sentenced to 28 years after raping and sexually assaulting women and children.

Jonathan Diba-Musangu, 23, of Fernhurst Street, Chadderton, was jailed at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday (24 September).

Diba-Musangu signed a semi-professional contract with Mossley FC in October 2018, shortly after which Greater Manchester Police began an investigation into him following reports of a sexual assault.

He met most of his victims through a church in Rochdale where he taught Sunday school and music classes, alongside his football career.

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

In total, 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 sentenced to 28 years in prison, with four years to be served on licence.

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.”