A hotel receptionist has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the rape of a young woman in her hotel room last year.

Joseph Gade, 25 (26.11.89) of Parkland Road, N22 in Wood Green was found guilty today, Wednesday 4 February at Blackfriars Crown Court of the rape of a 26-year-old woman at the Lonsdale Hotel, Bedford Place, WC1 on 16 August 2014.

Detective Constable Stavroula Georgiou-Moran of the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command said: “This was an attack on a vulnerable female who believed herself to be in a place of safety. Joseph Gade abused his position and took the opportunity to violate the trust of this unsuspecting guest.”

The court heard how on 16 August 2014 at around 04:00hrs the victim had booked into the hotel with a male friend.

Shortly after retiring to their room, the victim’s male friend left the hotel to look for a fast food outlet. While looking for somewhere to buy food he became lost.

While the victim was alone at the hotel, Gade left his position at reception and went to the victim’s room. He entered the room, attacked her as she slept and proceeded to rape her.

Gade was arrested on 19 August 2014 and charged on 26 August 2014. He pleaded not guilty to the charge at magistrates’ court and was remanded in custody to until his trail at Blackfriars Crown Court began on Monday, 2 February