A United Kingdom court has sentenced a 33-year-old Nigerian, Segun Ogundipe, to five years imprisonment for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Gloucester.
Ogundipe, who lived on Tuffley Lane, Gloucester, was convicted at the Gloucester Crown Court of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and assault by penetration, despite denying the charges.
According to Gloucestershire Police, the offences occurred in 2022 after Ogundipe met the victim at her workplace and invited her for a drink. During the outing, he allegedly made sexual comments that made her uncomfortable, before driving to his house under the pretext of collecting something.
The police report said the woman was sexually assaulted and raped after using the bathroom in his home. On their way to Cheltenham afterwards, Ogundipe continued touching her despite her repeated pleas to stop.
Police officers on routine patrol later stopped his car, giving the survivor an opportunity to leave. Although initially reluctant to speak, she later confided in an officer about the assault, leading to Ogundipe’s arrest.
In court, Ogundipe claimed the victim initiated the sexual encounter and consented, but the jury rejected his defence. Judge Lowe said while he considered positive character references, the seriousness of the offence warranted a five-year sentence. Ogundipe will also face deportation after serving his term.
In a statement read in court, the survivor described the assault as “vile” and said it made her question her self-worth, forcing her to quit her job and withdraw from social interactions. She urged other survivors to speak out, assuring them they would be believed and supported.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jon Furse, commended the survivor’s courage, stressing that sexual offenders would be held accountable and victims encouraged to report such crimes.
