A United Kingdom court has sentenced a 33-year-old Nigerian man, Segun Ogundipe, to five years in prison for raping and sexually assaulting a woman in Gloucester.
Ogundipe, who resided on Tuffley Lane, was found guilty of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and assault by penetration.
Despite pleading not guilty, a jury at Gloucester Crown Court rejected his claims that the victim had consented to the acts.
According to Gloucestershire Police, the incident occurred in 2022 after Ogundipe met the woman at her workplace and later invited her out for drinks. Investigators said he made persistent sexual remarks during the outing before convincing her to stop by his home under the guise of retrieving something.
Once there, he assaulted and raped her. On the way to Cheltenham afterwards, he allegedly continued to touch her despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.
A police patrol later intercepted Ogundipe’s car, giving the visibly distressed victim a chance to get out and speak to officers. She initially hesitated to disclose the assault but eventually told police what had happened.
During sentencing, Judge Lowe acknowledged the defendant’s positive character references but stressed that the severity of the offence warranted a substantial custodial sentence. Ogundipe will also be deported after serving his term.
In a statement read to the court, the survivor recounted the emotional toll of the attack.
“Some days, what you did to me plays over and over in my head. I spent so long believing that I must have deserved it, but I know now you had no right to my body,” she said. “Every single part of my life paused. I had to quit a job I loved because I couldn’t cope. I lost my spark, and even now, I’m still only starting to heal.”
Encouraging others who have experienced sexual violence to speak up, she added: “It doesn’t matter if you feel ashamed or if you think you are to blame—you will be believed and supported.”
Detective Constable Jon Furse, the investigating officer, praised her bravery: “Ogundipe’s actions have caused lasting harm. We are committed to holding sexual offenders accountable and urge any victim of rape or sexual assault to come forward and speak to the police.”
