Bruke Desalagne, a 33-year-old Eritrean migrant, has been convicted of raping a pensioner outside a church in north London. The attack occurred around midnight on July 23 last year at St John's church in Harrow, where Desalagne dragged the victim from a bench and assaulted him on a grass verge for 20 minutes.
Attack Details and Witness Account
According to Mail Online, Desalagne pulled the victim behind a hoarding at the church, where he continued the assault. A witness saw the incident from her window and called the police. CCTV footage showed cars and a double-decker bus passing nearby during the attack.
The victim, who was heavily intoxicated and cannot be named for legal reasons, was found lying behind the church sign when officers arrived. Desalagne was standing nearby. Prosecutor Simon Shannon told Harrow Crown Court: 'You can see the defendant dragging the heavily intoxicated victim from the bench where he was sitting, and dragging him to the grass area.'
Defendant's Response and Trial
Desalagne, who used an interpreter during the trial, initially told police he was trying to help the drunk victim. However, after being shown council camera footage, he stopped the interview, consulted his solicitor, and refused to speak further or testify at trial.
Defense lawyer Bibi Ihuomah argued there was no evidence of rape and urged jurors not to have a 'knee-jerk' reaction. Desalagne remained emotionless during the trial, sipping water as the footage was played.
Police Statement and Aftermath
Detective Constable Luke Revill described Desalagne as a 'dangerous offender' who 'targeted a defenceless, vulnerable, elderly man.' He added: 'Thanks to members of the public alerting the police, he was arrested at the scene, charged the following day and remanded by the courts. We are committed to bringing sexual predators like Desalange to justice.'
Revill urged other victims of similar crimes to contact police, assuring them they 'will be supported and listened to by officers.' Desalagne was found guilty and awaits sentencing.
