Oladip Oshodi, 48, the Dagenham Rapist, made sexual advances on a woman he knew at his home in the Mayesbrook neighbourhood of Dagenham. This is the face of a vicious and dangerous man who was imprisoned for physically abusing and raping a woman.
Despite the victim’s unequivocal refusal to have sex with Oshodi, he raped her twice on the evening of July 11, last year. He also battered her, and she escaped by jumping from a ground-floor window onto the street, collapsing in the middle of the road.
Concerned citizens phoned police and carried her off the road to safety. The survivor was sent to a hospital for treatment and assisted by professional officers.
Oshodi was detained on July 12 and held in detention throughout the case. He was charged with several crimes and was convicted on May 10 of two charges of rape, providing a poisonous substance, threatening to kill, grievous bodily harm, and controlling coercive behaviour. He was sentenced to 25 years in jail on July 5.
Detective Constable Serena McGhee stated, “Oshodi is a dangerous man, and it is appropriate that he will now serve a lengthy sentence in a location where he will not endanger women.” I applaud the victim and witnesses’ bravery in this case.
“Oshodi showed no remorse throughout the investigation and trial, and I am pleased that he has been made to face the consequences of his actions.”
PC Kayleigh Grafton, a specialist officer dealing with victims of sexual assaults, stated: “The survivor in this case was fleeing for her life when she ran onto the street to avoid this man. I hope the punishment handed down motivates other women who have been victims of sexual crimes to come forward. We are here to help you, and our purpose is to keep you safe and supported every step of the way.”
Support is available for everyone affected by rape and sexual abuse.
Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can get support, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex offers specialised help to victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and genders in Essex.
Synergy Essex is a collaboration of Essex’s rape and sexual abuse centres: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service, and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis. Synergy Essex operates independently of the police and assists victims and survivors along their journey.
Victims and survivors can self-refer or be referred by a parent, partner, friend, or professional to get specialist emotional support, counselling, and advocacy. Synergy Essex offers an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service to victims and survivors who report to the police, giving ongoing assistance throughout the criminal court system.
For further information, see the Synergy Essex website at https://synergyessex.org.uk/.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.