A FORMER NEWHAM LABOUR COUNCILLOR HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF SEXUAL ASSAULT.
A former Labour councillor from Newham has been convicted of a sexual assault.Daniel Lee-Phakoe, aged 38 and residing on Libra Road, Newham, was found guilty by a jury at Inner London Crown Court of a single charge of sexual assault by unlawful touching.
The incident occurred at a pub near Liverpool Street station on Friday, May 5, 2023.
The assault happened during a social event arranged by Lee-Phakoe’s wife, who was moving to a different department within the local council.
Throughout the evening, Lee-Phakoe engaged the victim in repeated and unwelcome verbal sexual advances, including a proposal for a sexual encounter in the restroom.
He also approached her side of the table, stood beside her, and pinched her bottom with his left hand, doing so at least ten times with a firm and persistent grip.
The victim, whose identity is protected for legal reasons, described her experience: “The assault left me feeling dirty, disrespected, and like a worthless woman who became the target of unwanted sexual touching and demands for sex in a public toilet, despite trying to move away.
His actions were invasive, aggressive, and manipulative, especially given that I was in a public place with his wife nearby.” She added, “This was a terrible ordeal.
The assault was unforgivable, and I reported it to prevent other women from suffering similarly and to confront a sexual predator who showed no regard for the harm caused.” During the incident, Lee-Phakoe temporarily left the table.
The victim asked her friend to stand nearby for safety.
Nonetheless, Lee-Phakoe returned and attempted to bypass the friend to reach her, persistently asking her to accompany him to the toilets.
The friend recalled: “He came back and continued pushing against me and speaking to the victim for about ten minutes.
I asked him to stop and calm down.
He paused his pushing but kept asking her to go to the toilets.
After what felt like a very long time, he finally left.
The victim then asked me to leave with her because she felt unsafe alone.
I’ve known her for many years, and I’ve never seen her so frightened.” Lee-Phakoe’s sentencing will take place at a future date.
