GUY MUKENDI SENTENCED FOR STEALTHING IN BRIXTON: A CRIME OF RAPE IN SOUTH LONDON

A man named Guy Mukendi, aged 39 and residing in Brixton, a vibrant area in south London, has been handed a prison sentence exceeding four years for a serious sexual offence known as 'stealthing.' This act involves the clandestine removal of a condom during sexual intercourse without the consent of the partner involved, and it is legally classified as a form of rape under UK law.

According to court proceedings, the victim initially agreed to engage in sexual activity with Mukendi on the condition that a condom would be used throughout. However, during the act, Mukendi secretly and without the victim’s knowledge removed the condom, an act that fundamentally violated her consent and trust.

The case was brought before the Inner London Crown Court, where evidence was presented that included text messages from Mukendi. In these messages, he admitted to removing the condom because he had not had sex in a long time, a justification that the court did not find acceptable or relevant to the issue of consent.

Following the incident, the victim contacted the police in May 2023 after she became aware of what had transpired. Investigators collected forensic evidence and examined the text messages, which played a crucial role in establishing the facts of the case. Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, any sexual act performed without valid consent—such as when a person is deceived or tricked about the nature of the activity—constitutes a criminal offence. The law explicitly states that removing a condom without consent invalidates any claim of conditional consent, thereby classifying the act as rape under English and Welsh law.

On April 2, 2024, Mukendi was convicted of rape, and on the following Thursday, he was sentenced to four years and three months in prison. Additionally, the court granted the victim a restraining order that will remain in effect for five years, providing her with legal protection from further contact or harassment. Authorities have emphasized the importance of reporting any incidents of non-consensual condom removal promptly, as such reports are vital for gathering evidence and ensuring that justice is served for victims of this form of sexual assault.