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Chatham teenager Jessica Bugden told to drop charge against brutal rapist Babritundre Mustapha or be killed

James Bugden with the screen showing live CCTV pictures
James Bugden with the screen showing live CCTV pictures

A frightened parent has surrounded his home with CCTV after receiving death threats if his teenage daughter testified against the man who raped her.

Disabled James Bugden has the pictures beamed onto a giant screen in his house in Luton, Chatham, so he can protect his other children.

Babritundre Mustapha, 28, was sentenced to nine years in prison for his horrific hour-long attack on Mr Bugden's daughter Jessica - who was 17 at the time.

He changed his plea to guilty on the opening day of his trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

James Bugden shows one of the cameras at his home
James Bugden shows one of the cameras at his home

The 40-year-old father-of-five relived the horrifying night last August when his eldest daughter failed to return from a party near their home in Waghorn Street.

He said that - despite his daughter being told to drop the charge or die - the family had been "determined to see the case through".

In a courageous move, the brave victim has agreed to waive her right to anonymity to speak openly about her ordeal.

Mr Bugden said: "We are a closeknit family and Jessica has always been a reliable girl who would phone if she was going to be late. When I kept trying her mobile and there was no reply I knew something was wrong."

Just after 3am, he got a call from her friend who said she had been attacked - but was safe.

He said: "When I heard what had happened I felt sick to the stomach. The police said I could go around to the station the following morning, I said no, I am coming round straight away. And all she wanted was a cuddle but I wasn't allowed to go anywhere near her."

Two days later, Mustapha, who comes from the Yoruba region of south west Africa, went to the police station where he denied the allegation.

Mr Bugden claimed he had to fight to stop him leaving the country.

He added: "I was determined to see this case through, to make sure justice was done."

The Bugdens have been affected by the strain of court proceedings, particularly James and wife Carol's youngest children aged 10 and 11.

Babritundre Mustapha, jailed for nine years for rape
Babritundre Mustapha, jailed for nine years for rape

Mr Budgen said: "My daughter won't go out to play with her friends and we have to keep the hall lights on at night. I decided to get the CCTV to try to explain that it was safe to go out.

"The worst was the threats to kill if we gave evidence. We had an anonymous call just before the trial was originally due to start.

"You try to do your best to protect your children. You see these things happen on television, but you don't expect it to happen to you."

Jessica has spent the last 11 months dreading the trial.

"I have had flashbacks and I'm on sleeping pills and even felt like committing suicide," she said.

"I only sleep during the day because I know there will be people around."

She is slowly trying to get her life back.

The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court
The case was heard at Maidstone Crown Court

Despite the attack, she continued her hairdressing course at MidKent College and has just passed her exams.

She is now enrolling on a health and social care course at the same Medway campus and plans to start driving lessons to build up her confidence.

She said: "There were times when I did not want to go through with the court case. But I had my family's support.

"This has made me grow up. I now just want to get on with life."

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