SEX PREDATOR JAILED FOR RAPING TEEN DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN WIDNES
A SEXUAL predator is now behind bars after being convicted of raping a teenage woman just days before Christmas.Following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court, a jury found Dennis Kiwia to be guilty of committing the rape in his Widnes home.
The court heard that the 39-year-old targeted the victim – who is around 20 years his junior – after she was reported to be unsteady on her feet after a night out.
She woke up without any clothing in his home, without recollection of what had happened before then.
Kiwa appeared back before the crown court to be sentenced recently, where it was heard that the rape occurred in December 2023.
The victim, a teenage but adult woman, was on a Christmas night out with friends in Widnes.
The group had been drinking at a pub in the town centre, with the victims’ friends later going home for the night, leaving her sitting alone as the venue began to close.
Kiwa was also in the premises, with CCTV footage taken from the night of the incident showing him calling her over and to sit with him, where they engaged in conversation.
Further footage would show the victim appearing unsteady on her feet as she got up to leave the venue, with Kiwia seen walking arm-in-arm with her as they walked across the outside car park to his car.
The victim would later tell police that she woke up the following morning in Kiwia’s home – without any clothes on and unsure as to how she got there.
Quickly leaving the address, she returned home and reported to her family that she believed that she had been, as she could not have been able to consent to any sexual intercourse.
The incident was then reported to Cheshire Police, and Kiwia was promptly arrested by officers and brought into custody.
During his interview, he told investigating officers that he had been drinking at the same venue as the victim and had spoken to her on the night in question.
He went on to say that he helped her into his car following the venue closing and offered her a lift to her home, but he claimed that she told him to take her to his home.
The defendant then told officers that the pair had engaged in consensual sex before falling asleep in the early hours.
He added that the victim woke up and decided to go home alone, despite him offering a number of times to take her there himself.
Despite his claims, Kiwia was subsequently charged by Cheshire Police and maintained his stance that he was innocent.
However, following a five-day trial after he pleaded not guilty, he was convicted by a jury.
Appearing back in court to be sentenced, Kiwa, of Albert Road in Widnes, was jailed for four years.
Speaking after the hearing, DC Gemma Nicolson, of Cheshire Police, said: “Kiwia's inability to accept any accountability for his actions not only prolonged justice being served, but it also forced the victim to relive the entire ordeal all over again during his trial.
“Kiwia maintained he was the innocent party in this case, where, in fact, he took advantage of a vulnerable young woman nearly 20 years his junior who had simply been out enjoying the Christmas festivities with her friends for his own pleasure.
“We treat all reports of rape and sexual assault with the utmost seriousness, and we place the needs of the victim at the very heart of our investigations, ensuring they are supported throughout every step of enquiries and any following court proceedings.”
