Man who raped woman at his Blackheath home after meeting on Instagram jailed

A man who twice raped a woman at his home in south-east London after meeting her on Instagram has been jailed for eight-and-a-half years.

Woolwich Crown Court heard how Obaro Okagbare, 32, preyed on his victim while a combination of alcohol and cannabis had left her “unable to speak or move”.

The victim, aged in her 20s, met Okagbare for the first time on the evening of January 31, 2020, after they had exchanged messages on Instagram.

They had initially planned to go out, but instead decided to go to Okagbare’s house in Holburne Road, Blackheath.

Once there, they drank and smoked cannabis, before the woman began to feel unwell.

She went upstairs to the bathroom where she was sick, before being helped to the bedroom by Okagbare where she described being unable to speak or move.

Okagbare then raped her twice while she was incapacitated.When the woman regained her ability to function, she left the property and contacted police.

Okagbare was arrested on February 2, 2020, and was later charged with rape.

He was found guilty of two counts of rape on January 23, following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.

On Monday, he was sentenced to eight-and-a-half years’ imprisonment at the same court.

He will also be made to sign the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period.

Detective Sergeant Dean Young of the South East Public Protection Team said: “Okagbare cruelly took advantage of this woman’s incapacity and raped her twice when she was in no position to consent.

“The woman he attacked has shown tremendous strength and courage in both reporting her ordeal to police and seeing this process through the courts. I hope Okagbare’s sentencing gives her some closure.

“I also hope this sends a strong message to those who have been a victim of sexual offending – please report this to police as we have specially trained officers who can support you and help put perpetrators behind bars.”