A 25-YEAR-OLD man from Penarth who repeatedly raped a sex worker has been sentenced to 16 years in prison, along with an extended licence period of six years.
Photo: SWP.
A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court heard that William Adesanya raped the victim three times in half an hour after he booked an appointment at her home in Cardiff.
The court was told the ordeal began when Adesanya placed the victim in a “bear hug” and whispered to her “don’t panic, you just need to give me £200”.
The victim began to cry and told the defendant she did not have the money and attempted to grab her phone to take a picture of him, but he snatched the device and deleted the messages sent between them.
The sex worker screamed and Adesanya placed his hands on her throat and as she resisted, he tightened his grip and told her: “If you didn’t struggle, this wouldn’t have happened.”
During his sentencing remarks, Judge Carl Harrison said the victim struggled to breathe and “everything went blank”.
When the victim regained consciousness, she realised her shorts and underwear had been removed and that the defendant was “moving her body”.
Adesanya left the woman on the floor with “no regard for her or her safety” but she attempted to follow him to retrieve her phone.
He reacted by grabbing hold of the victim, forcing her into the bedroom, pushing her onto the bed and raping her.
Adesanya filmed himself raping the victim vaginally and orally to “humiliate and degrade her”, and she could be heard on the video crying and pleading with him to cease, but Judge Harrison said the defendant “could not care less”.
The victim said she was “terrified” of what her attacker would do and feared for her life. After he left, she called the police and Adesanya was arrested.
Adesanya, who is of previous good character, was found guilty at trial of three counts of rape, one count of sexual assault and one count of intentional strangulation.
Prosecutor Andrew Davies said the defendant targeted the sex worker because of her vulnerability and that his actions amounted to “gratuitous degradation”.
Addressing the impact the attack had on her, the victim said she wanted to “rip her skin off” following the rapes as her attacker left her feeling “dirty”.
Personal impact statement
Reading out her own personal impact statement, she said: “My anxiety is extremely high, and I am nervous about being out in public. The first time I had to take the bins out, I threw up because of the anxiety.
“They say it takes seven years for skin to regenerate and create new cells. I am counting down for seven years so my skin is not the same skin he touched.
“He has broken every ounce of confidence, self-love, and mental progress. I hate my body, I hate how I look and when I touch myself. I was excited for my future but now I feel broken and with no purpose.
“I am broken because of what you did but I’ll heal eventually and will be able to put myself together again. I genuinely hope you’re forced to confront how cruel, inhumane and devastating your actions were.”
Matthew Roberts, mitigating on behalf of Adesanya, said his client was “still a relatively young man” who was hard-working and had gained employment.
Mr Roberts told the court the defendant is being supported by his parents, who are concerned for their son and that he has another side to his personality.
Judge Harrison told Adesanya he was a “very dangerous individual” who had shown a “lack of insight and empathy”.
In addition to the prison sentence, Adesanya was made subject to a restraining order and an order prohibiting him from having contact with sex workers, both of which will run indefinitely.
Following the sentencing hearing, the victim wrote to South Wales Police saying: “I would like to say thank you to DC Nick Young and to everyone else that has helped and supported me through the process of the trial and sentencing of my attacker.
“I am so incredibly grateful for him and all that he has done, he has shown me an incredible amount of patience, kindness, and compassion throughout this entire traumatic process.
“This has been a long, emotional journey and I would not have been able to do it without the support of everyone involved. Thank you all so very much. From the bottom of my heart.”
DC Nick Young said: “The victim demonstrated exceptional bravery throughout the process and hopes that her story can encourage others who are suffering to report matters.
“South Wales Police will be relentless in our pursuit of offenders and those who target the vulnerable in our communities.”
By Marcus Stead – News Reporter
News, Letters, Sport and advertising are welcomed by the Glamorgan Star – the largest newspaper or magazine in the Vale of Glamorgan. Contact us today here.
- Praise for Cowbridge’s own ‘local hero’
- Llantwit restores historic tribute to St Samson
- Vale sharp-shooter scoops top Lottery prize
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
‘The importance of participation and continued learning’
Opposition leaders clash with First Minister over independence rally
How Kevin saved a stranger’s life
