A 29-year-old Nigerian man, Chiemka Okoronta, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in the United Kingdom for raping a 17-year-old girl after offering to share a taxi with her when her bus broke down unexpectedly in Leeds.
According to a BBC report on Monday, Okoronta, who was found guilty of multiple counts of rape, was informed that he would likely be deported after serving his sentence.
The court heard that the incident occurred on March 25, when Okoronta, of Morley Street, Bradford, was the only other passenger on the night bus, which stopped at Morley. The victim, who was on her way home to Bradford, reportedly had little money left and her phone battery had died.
Prosecutors said Okoronta, a postgraduate student, offered to share a taxi but instead directed the driver to his flat, where he lured the teenager inside and raped her in a locked toilet.
The victim managed to escape after the assault and stopped a passer-by to use their phone to call the police.
At Bradford Crown Court, Okoronta was convicted of three counts of rape and will also serve three years on an extended licence and remain on the sex offenders register for life.
The court was told he would be deported to Nigeria after completing his sentence.
In a statement read to the court, the victim said the incident had left her traumatised and fearful of public spaces.
“It turned my life upside down. I have flashbacks and nightmares. I can’t take a bus without feeling uncomfortable and I avoid Bradford city centre now,” she said.
Sentencing him, Judge Sophie McKone described Okoronta as a “dangerous sexual predator” who took advantage of a vulnerable teenager.
“You knew she was miles from home, had no working phone, and little money. I am satisfied that when you offered to share a taxi, you had already formulated a plan to get her back to your address where you could rape her,” the judge said.
Detective Constable Sue Sutcliffe, of West Yorkshire Police, commended the victim for her bravery in reporting the crime.
“I would like to commend the victim for her immense courage in coming forward straight away to report this horrific offence. I would urge anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to please report it to us so we can take action,” she said.
