NOTTINGHAM, England – A Zimbabwean woman has been jailed in the United Kingdom after luring a teenage schoolgirl into her home, locking her in and subjecting her to a serious sexual assault.

The girl had been walking nearby, on March 10, 2026, when she was approached by 34-year-old Karen Murerwa who was unknown to her.
Murerwa convinced the victim to come back to her house in Seaton Crescent, Nottingham.

She then took her into the property and locked the door behind them.
The victim tried to look where the keys went and take in details as she was scared and wanted to go home.

Murerwa tightened her control over the girl. Her manipulative behaviour included giving her alcohol, taking her phone and making her send a message to her mum saying she was with a friend.

She was then taken upstairs and subjected to a sustained sexual assault by Murerwa before she was eventually let out of the house.

Inquiries were carried out after the victim disclosed what had happened to her and Murerwa was subsequently arrested and charged.

Murerwa, who pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault by penetration and a further count of false imprisonment, was jailed for six years and four months when she appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on September 10.

She was also made subject of a lifetime sexual harm prevention order and must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely.

After passing sentence, Judge James Sampson commended the girl for her bravery in reporting the matter, adding that by doing she “may have saved another child from a similar experience.”

Detective Sergeant Nicola Roddis-Ferrari, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Murerwa deliberately targeted this vulnerable young girl, coerced her into entering her home and restricted her movements before sexually assaulting her.

“Murerwa’s actions have had a huge impact on this girl’s life. She had been kind to Murerwa and wanted to help her, only for her to repay that kindness by sexually assaulting her.

“I hope this court result brings some closure to the victim and allows her to move on from what must have been a very traumatic ordeal.

“I’d like to commend her bravery for coming forward, as I know it would have taken great courage to speak to our specially-trained officers about what happened and relive her horrendous experience.

“I also hope this court result gives encouragement to any other victims that they can come forward in the confidence that we will listen carefully to them, we will investigate, and we will do everything we can to seek justice for them.”