A United Kingdom court has ordered the deportation of a Nigerian man, Qudus Ajeyemi, after sentencing him to five years and six months’ imprisonment for attempted rape and sexual assault of a woman in Hull, England.
Ajeyemi, 27, of May Street, Hull, was also handed a seven-year restraining order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life following his conviction.
He was found guilty of attempted rape and sexual assault after a week-long trial that ended at Hull Crown Court. Following sentencing, the court ordered that he be deported from the United Kingdom upon completion of his prison term.
Investigators said the incident occurred in February 2023 after the victim returned from a night out to a property on Tavistock Street in Hull.
The woman told police that Ajeyemi, whom she knew only by the nickname “Spartan”, escorted her to a room under the pretence of helping her rest. Instead of leaving, he allegedly made unwanted sexual advances towards her and attempted to rape her after she repeatedly rejected him.
The victim reported the incident to police in March 2023 and provided a recording of a telephone conversation in which Ajeyemi allegedly apologised for his actions.
“She disclosed how she thought he was just assisting her by taking her to a friend’s room to rest, thinking he would leave. However, instead, he took advantage of her by touching her, and whilst his advances were rebuffed, he proceeded to force himself upon her and attempted to rape her. She reported that the following day he called the victim to apologise for what he had done, and the victim had recorded this conversation, which was key evidence at the trial,” police stated.
Detectives from the Humberside Police Protecting Vulnerable People Unit subsequently identified “Spartan” as Ajeyemi and arrested him on suspicion of attempted rape. He denied the allegations during interrogation despite being confronted with the recorded conversation.
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Commenting on the conviction, the lead investigator, Detective Sergeant Ethan Anderson, commended the victim for pursuing the case despite the lengthy legal process.
“I want to start by commending the woman who came forward and reported what had happened to her; reporting this type of crime is never easy, and she has displayed nothing but immense bravery and strength throughout the complex and lengthy process, from reporting the incident through to his sentencing. Ajeyemi preyed on the woman, taking advantage of her and attempting to rape her in a space she ought to have been safe in, around friends,” Anderson said.
The detective added that the emotional impact of the incident had been worsened by the defendant’s refusal to admit responsibility, which forced the victim to endure a six-day trial.
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The trauma and emotional damage he caused will undoubtedly stay with her for the rest of her life. The impact of this ordeal was only magnified by Ajeyemi’s refusal to admit what he had done, delaying the outcome for the victim and forcing her to endure a gruelling six-day trial. We take all reports of rape and sexual offences extremely seriously and continue to work relentlessly to take offenders like Ajeyemi off our streets,” he added.
The conviction comes amid continued efforts by UK authorities to tackle sexual violence and protect vulnerable persons.
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