A Nigerian postgraduate student, Chiemka Okoronta, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Bradford Crown Court for raping a 17-year-old girl. The incident occurred on March 25, 2025, after both Okoronta and the victim became stranded when a night bus terminated unexpectedly in Morley, Leeds.
According to court proceedings, Okoronta offered to share a taxi with the teenager, who had no means of returning home after her phone battery died. Instead of heading to Bradford Interchange, the taxi was diverted to Okoronta’s flat. There, he lured the girl inside, locked her in a bathroom, and raped her.
The victim managed to escape after the assault and used a passerby’s phone to contact the police. Okoronta was later arrested and convicted of multiple rape offences.
In addition to the prison sentence, Okoronta will serve three years on extended licence and has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The court also stated that he is likely to be deported to Nigeria upon completion of his sentence.
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of young people in transit and the importance of safeguarding measures in public transportation systems. UK authorities have reiterated their commitment to prosecuting sexual offences and ensuring justice for victims.
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