Attempted rape earns Hackney man four years in jail

IT WAS IN APRIL last year that Jamel Nwokoye, 30, of Coronet Street, Hackney, began following a woman who was walking, on her own, down Pitfield Street in Hackney – shortly after 2am.

As the woman drew near to an entrance to Shoreditch Park, he grabbed her and dragged her into the Park by her hair. The woman fought back and Nwokoye physically attacked her.

The woman began – and carried on – screaming. Member of the public heard her and called the police, as well as coming into the Park to try to find her. Although Nwokoye continued to punch and kick her, he woman managed to get away from him and ran off.

The police investigation was assisted by CCTV footage. They were able to find film of Nwokoye following his victim, which helped them to trace images of him leaving the park, wondering around the area and then heading home. It also helped identify him.

Police were able arrest Nwokoye and charge him just a few days after the offence. Later police found that he had an extensive history of viewing violent pornography on his phone.

Nwokoye was found guilty of assault with intent to commit a sexual offence af the end of a trial at the Central Criminal Court in July. On 6th September he returned to Court, where he was sentenced to four years in prison, with an extended licence period of four years. He was also ordered to be added to the sex offenders register for life.

Detective Constable Mark Longley, who led the investigation, said, “Nwokoye is a sexual predator and the CCTV footage demonstrates that he was prowling the streets of Hackney in the early hours of the morning before he alighted on his victim. He subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal which has caused lasting psychological harm. I hope that with the conclusion of this case she is now able to move forward with her life.

“This case also raises legitimate questions about the availability of so called ‘rape porn’ and the extent to which this may have contributed to Nwokoye’s offending. This is commercially produced material which is specifically themed to depict forced sex and violence towards women. It is notable that Nwokoye was accessing this material in the days leading up to this incident some of which bore striking similarities to the assault he would eventually commit.”

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