A Newport man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after raping a woman he met through a dating app in her own home.
Michael Okafor, 46, of Bishton Street, was found guilty at Cardiff Crown Court following a trial where he had denied the charge.
In a powerful victim impact statement, the survivor said: “My life and feelings of safety have been destroyed. I am constantly scared and feel emotionally drained. I can’t even look at another man without seeing him.”
She continued: “I just don’t feel safe leaving my own home. I often wake up with feelings of fear and terror after having flashbacks of what happened. All I can think of is, ‘Why can’t this be a dream? Why do I have to wake up? Why did this happen to me?'”
Recorder Greg Bull KC told Okafor during sentencing: “This lady was raped in her own home. You ignored her requests to stop and carried on. You have seriously affected her life.”
Okafor will serve six years and 182 days in prison, must register as a sex offender for life, and is subject to a 10-year restraining order. 👨⚖️
