A man has been jailed for raping a 12-year-old girl almost 30 years ago.

Philip Gonsalves, 63, of Ladywell Road, Lewisham was found guilty on Thursday, March 23 at Woolwich Crown Court and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

In the early hours of October 29, 1987, Gonsalves raped the victim at a bed and breakfast hotel in Longridge Road. The Kensington hotel is now closed.

The victim was staying with her parents at the hotel, in a room of her own. Gonsalves, who lived opposite the hotel at the time, got into the hotel, entered the victim’s room and raped her.

Police were called to the hotel and an investigation was launched, but nobody was charged.

However, as part of the Met's ongoing re-assessment of cold cases, DNA from the incident was re-examined and a link with Gonsalves was identified.

He was arrested on July 26, 2016 and charged 11 days later.

Detective Chief Inspector Zena Marshall of the Met's sexual offences, exploitation and child abuse command said: "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."