A UK 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 lived on Tuffley Lane, was convicted of rape, two counts of sexual assault, and assault by penetration after a jury rejected his claim that the victim had consented.

The incident happened in 2022 when Ogundipe met the woman at her workplace and invited her for a drink. Throughout the evening, he made inappropriate sexual remarks, and later drove her to his home under the pretence of picking up something. There, he attacked her.

Even after driving her to Cheltenham afterwards, Ogundipe continued to touch her despite her pleas to stop. Police on patrol stopped his car, giving the woman an opportunity to escape and disclose what had happened.

In court, the survivor delivered an emotional statement describing the trauma she faced, saying the attack made her question her worth and forced her to quit a job she loved. She encouraged other survivors to speak out, assuring them they will be believed and supported.

Judge Lowe, while acknowledging positive character references for Ogundipe, ruled that the seriousness of his crimes demanded a custodial sentence. He will also face deportation after serving his term.

Detective Constable Jon Furse praised the survivor’s courage, stressing the police’s commitment to holding sexual offenders accountable and urging victims of sexual abuse to come forward.