In a chilling incident at a bustling nightclub in Swansea, a man has been incarcerated for the violation of a woman in the ladies' restroom. Shockingly, he not only committed this heinous act but also callously boasted about it to his acquaintances. Onyedika Oriaku, a university student, contended that the encounter was consensual, with the victim initiating the contact.
However, the Crown Court categorically dismissed Oriaku's claims. According to Ian Wright, the prosecutor at Swansea Crown Court, the assault transpired in March 2023 at the Fiction nightclub in Swansea city centre.
The court heard that Oriaku and a group of men were in the VIP area, where he and a woman were engaged in intimate activities. Subsequently, the woman, described as "heavily intoxicated," proceeded to the restroom, with Oriaku following her. Tragically, he assaulted her within one of the cubicles.
Following the assault, Oriaku returned to the VIP area with his friends, only to revisit the ladies' toilets with a companion later. Their presence led to an encounter with two women instructing them to leave, as reported by Wales Online.
In court, Oriaku asserted he returned to check on the woman, claiming she was "exhausted" from their previous encounter. The victim reported the rape to the police, emphasizing the severe impact on her mental health and the erosion of trust in men.
Oriaku, residing at Victoria Terrace, Brynmill, Swansea, received a conviction for one count of rape, despite having no prior criminal record. In his defense, James Hartson portrayed Oriaku as a student and a worker in the care sector.
Judge Geraint Walters, after reviewing CCTV footage and court testimony, admonished Oriaku for his inflated self-opinion. The judge emphasized that alcohol-induced vulnerability did not grant Oriaku the authority to dictate the course of events. Walters deemed Oriaku's explanation for returning to the toilets with another male as "fanciful beyond belief" and characterized the return as "sinister."
The judge condemned Oriaku's actions in the toilets as "truly shameful," underscoring the lack of remorse. Oriaku received a seven-year prison sentence, with a requirement to serve two-thirds before release on license, completing the remainder in the community. Additionally, he will be registered as a sex offender for life.
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