Patrick Bannah and Jonathan Zahinda jailed for raping 15-year-old girl

The 28-year-old musician was one of two men convicted of preying upon an intoxicated underage girl at an 18th birthday party.

Two vile predators are now behind bars after an intoxicated 15-year-old was repeatedly raped at an Adelaide party.

Patrick Morie Bannah, also known as Adelaide singer and award-winning afrobeat artist Loverboy (who also goes by the stage name ConCcoins), and Jonathan Zahinda took advantage of the child’s vulnerability for their own sexual gratification.

During sentencing on Tuesday, the District Court heard the victim was at an 18th birthday party in an Adelaide Airbnb apartment in October 2020.

She drank alcohol for the first time and tried cannabis before going into one of the bedrooms.

Bannah then came into the bedroom and started touching the victim’s genitalia, with her telling him to stop.

He went on to attempt to sexually assault the child again before leaving the room.

Patrick Bannah was found guilty of rape and attempted rape. Picture: Facebook

Jonathon Zahinda was jailed for over six years. Picture: Dean Martin

Zahinda then came into the bedroom later in the evening and also raped the girl.

When police investigated, Zahinda sent the victim a message telling her to drop the charges.

A jury found Bannah, 28, of Elizabeth Grove, and Zahinda, 26, of Bordertown, guilty of rape.

Bannah was also found guilty of attempted rape, while Zahinda was found guilty of dissuading a witness last year.

Both men are appealing the verdict.

Victim impact statements from the girl and her mother were read by prosecutor Lisa Lakatos to the court in December.

The victim said the crime has had a significant effect on her emotional and social wellbeing.

“No matter how many years on, it hurts me to know I will have to live with this pain and trauma constantly,” she said.

The victim’s mother said the guilt of allowing her daughter to attend the birthday party where she was assaulted is something she will always live with and never be able to forgive herself for.

“Causing me many sleepless nights with constant grieving, pain and sadness just imagining the trauma and hurt my little girl goes through every day,” she said.

“The crime committed against my sweet daughter has stolen the joy, happiness and bond we shared of our mother, daughter relationship,” she said.

James Caldicott, for Bannah, told the court his client was a passionate music maker who had toured overseas, including the United States in 2016 and his home country Liberia in 2019.

Bannah is an award-winning afrobeat recording artist and a music engineer.

Patrick Bannah, known as Loverboy, performing at one of his concerts. Picture: Facebook

Patrick Bannah cancelled his 10 year anniversary concert days after being found guilty of rape. Picture: Facebook

Patrick Bannah was jailed for six years.

The devout Christian and father-of-three has toured overseas, including the United States in 2016 and his home country Liberia in 2019.

The court heard Zahinda turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the loss of his younger brother and reported a significant pornography addiction.

Judge Nick Alexandrides said the men took advantage of the victim’s vulnerability for their own sexual gratification.

“Victims continue to experience the effects of sexual violence after the offence and often long after the offence,” he said.

“(The convicted men) took advantage of her vulnerability for their own sexual gratification.”

Bannah was sentenced to six years jail, with a non-parole period of three years and three months.

Zahinda was sentenced to six years and 10 months jail, with a non-parole period of three years and six months.

Originally published as Patrick Bannah and Jonathan Zahinda jailed for raping 15-year-old girl