A father-of-two has been convicted of raping a woman he met at a Newport nightclub, after she woke up to find him assaulting her in his flat. Christian Okafor, 48, encountered the victim and her friends at a nightclub in Newport city centre, where he invited them back to his nearby flat, despite being strangers. The victim, who had been heavily drinking, required assistance walking and was seen stumbling on CCTV footage as they made their way to Okafor’s flat in Clytha Square. Once there, the victim passed out after taking a few sips of her drink, only to awaken to Okafor raping her while her friends were present in the room.
Describing the harrowing incident, Judge Lucy Crowther stated that the victim found Okafor on top of her during the assault and was in a state of shock. She immediately demanded him to stop, fearing for her safety. After her friends intervened, they left the flat, leaving the victim in a state of distress, with visible bruises later found on her body. Despite Okafor denying any wrongdoing, DNA evidence linked him to the crime.
During the sentencing at Cardiff Crown Court, the victim’s statement revealed the profound impact the assault had on her mental health, leading to thoughts of self-harm, struggles with daily activities, and a deep sense of dirtiness and alienation. In contrast, Okafor’s defence emphasised his previously unblemished record and his roles as a responsible family man.
Judge Crowther acknowledged the victim’s pain and trauma, condemning Okafor’s actions as an attack that worsened her anxiety and mental health struggles. Okafor was sentenced to eight years in prison, with a requirement to serve two-thirds of the term before eligibility for release on licence. Additionally, he will be subject to sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.
Following the court proceedings, a representative from the CPS commended the victim for her courage in coming forward, highlighting the importance of early reporting in securing convictions for such heinous crimes. The victim’s bravery in seeking justice was crucial in holding Okafor accountable for his actions.
Overall, the case highlights the ongoing need for support and recognition of the profound impact of sexual assault on victims, as well as the importance of timely and thorough investigations to ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.