A UK court has sentenced 24-year-old Nigerian migrant Gift Oladele to 17 years in prison for raping a 19-year-old woman in Wrexham, Wales. The ruling was delivered on Thursday at Mold Crown Court, following his conviction in March for rape and sexual assault related to the September 2025 attack.
Prosecutor James Coutts told the court that Oladele approached the victim outside a takeaway in Wrexham city centre, where she was with friends. He appeared friendly and offered to walk her home. As they reached a secluded area, he grabbed her, covered her mouth, and dragged her into nearby woods. There, he assaulted her while making threats.
The victim described being terrified and said she did what she thought necessary to survive the ordeal. Oladele threatened to harm her if she reported the incident and warned he would take photographs and post them online. Despite the intimidation, she went home and immediately told her parents, who contacted police.
Oladele was arrested the following day at his cousin’s home in Wrexham. Officers discovered he had attempted to hide a mobile phone, which contained searches linked to sexual attacks. Investigators revealed he had a disturbing interest in forced sexual abuse and rape.
The court also heard that Oladele was already on bail for another rape allegation in Manchester from November 2024. He had previously been jailed in 2022 for a sexually motivated attack. In addition, he had avoided deportation to Nigeria after successfully appealing on human rights grounds, despite repeated attempts by the Home Office to remove him.
Judge Simon Mills described the crime as “truly depraved” and declared Oladele a dangerous offender who posed a high risk to young women. “You subjected her to a terrible violation. You are a dangerous offender,” the judge said. He emphasized the seriousness of the crime and the need for a lengthy sentence to protect the public.
In her victim impact statement, the survivor said she continues to suffer severe trauma. “I’m petrified, I feel ashamed, and somehow damaged since what he did to me. The emotional impact has been very significant. I can’t go anywhere on my own anymore. I feel unsafe,” she told the court.
Judge Mills commended her bravery, noting that she showed exceptional courage both during the attack and in reporting it. He acknowledged the lasting harm caused but praised her determination to speak out.
The case highlights the dangers posed by repeat offenders and the challenges faced by victims of sexual violence. Oladele’s history of prior offences and his ability to avoid deportation added to the gravity of the ruling. The sentence reflects the court’s view that he remains a serious threat and must be kept away from society for a long period.
With the 17-year sentence, the court sought to deliver justice to the victim while sending a strong message about accountability for sexual crimes. The ruling underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals and ensuring offenders face consequences for their actions.
