CHRISTIAN OKAFOR FROM CARDIFF SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR RAPE IN THE CITY

A 48-year-old man named Christian Okafor, originally from Newport, has been handed down an eight-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping a woman he met during a night out. The incident took place in Cardiff and has shocked the local community, highlighting the serious consequences of such crimes.

According to court reports, the assault occurred after the woman, who had been drinking that evening, was invited by Okafor and some friends to his flat in Cardiff following their initial meeting at a nightclub on January 27. The woman, who was visibly intoxicated at the time, soon lost consciousness after arriving at Okafor’s residence. She later regained awareness to find Okafor on top of her, an act she described as a rape. Despite Okafor’s plea of not guilty, a jury found him guilty of the crime after deliberation.

During the trial at Cardiff Crown Court, evidence was presented that confirmed the presence of Okafor’s semen on the victim’s underwear through DNA analysis. This scientific evidence played a crucial role in establishing his guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The court heard that the victim was in a vulnerable state, both physically and mentally, during the assault.

Judge Lucy Crowther, presiding over the case, emphasized the victim’s vulnerability, stating, "She was asleep, she was vulnerable and was intoxicated. She became conscious as you were on top of her raping her. She was in a state of shock, and told you to get off her and not to hurt her, before calling for her friends, but you had already hurt her." The judge’s remarks underscored the severity of the crime and the impact on the victim.

The court also considered the victim’s impact statement, which revealed the profound emotional and psychological toll the assault has taken on her. She described feeling like a “completely different person” since the incident, struggling with mental health issues, difficulty sleeping, and a pervasive sense of dirtiness. She expressed her distress by saying, “I feel so dirty as a result of what’s happened. I feel like a different person, I don’t like going out after 5pm, I’m just not the same person.”

It was noted that the assault involved two strangers who had no prior acquaintance. Okafor, who had no previous criminal record, was described as a “hard working” father who often worked away from home. The victim contacted the police the day after the assault, which was instrumental in securing the conviction. Scott McCrimmon from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the importance of her prompt cooperation, stating, “Rape is a harrowing crime that has a devastating effect on the victim. The victim coming forward at an early stage was crucial, allowing us to work with police in following the key lines of enquiry and securing evidence leading to this conviction. We thank her for her cooperation and the courage she has shown.”

As part of his sentence, Okafor was ordered to pay a surcharge of £228 and will be registered as a sex offender indefinitely. Gwent Police, respecting the victim’s wishes, chose not to release an image of Okafor to the media to prevent further trauma. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice and the ongoing efforts to combat sexual violence in Cardiff and beyond.