May 22, 2001 12:31: A PHONE salesman who attempted to rape a nine-year-girl after being stood up by her mother has been sentenced to five years in prison.

The attack took place after a series of meetings between Jonas Amogbokpa, 30, and the girl's mother, also 30.

Amogbokpa, of Varden Street, Greenwich, broke into the woman's flat at midnight and attacked the girl when he realised her mother had gone out, a court heard. The girl, who cannot be named, was unable to give evidence to the court due to an epileptic condition which developed soon after the attack last summer.

Prosecuting, Maureen McGowan told Inner London Crown Court on May 9 Amogbokpa "had gone round to Miss X's flat on the evening of July 1 last year hoping to have sexual intercourse with her".

She said: "She was not there. He called her name at the window." Miss McGowan added it was then he broke into the flat through a window and attempted to rape the eldest child.

During the incident, a neighbour said they heard a tapping sound at the window of the flat below. Ten minutes later, a child was heard crying.

The woman told the court the defendant had forced her to have sex on one of their meetings but had never shown an "unhealthy" interest in her children before.

Miss McGowan said the jury may not approve of the mother leaving her three girls alone at home. She added: "But you are not trying her in her capacity as a mother."

Amogbokpa was found guilty of attempted rape and

indecent assault after an alternative charge of rape was dropped.