When he saw a woman stood alone at a bus stop he pretended to help her but he had no such intention

A vile rapist pretended to come to the aid of a woman he found stranded at a bus stop in the early hours but instead sexually abused her.

Momoh-Jimoh Musari's victim blacked out after he gave her a glass of milk, having lured her back to his flat when she was left alone with no phone or bank card following a night out in Liverpool city centre. He tearfully pleaded "I'm innocent your honour" as he was locked up over the horrific attack today.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Friday that the complainant had been out with her partner on the evening in question, but an argument led to him leaving her while in possession of her mobile phone and bank card. She then made her way to a bus stop near to Musari's apartment on Greenside in Everton, where the stranger approached her.

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Oliver King, prosecuting, described how the 35-year-old offered to take her to his home, where he said he would call a taxi for her. He then gave her a drink of milk, but she "only took a couple of mouthfuls" due to its peculiar taste.

The victim next recalled being naked in Musari's bed, at which time he began to kiss her breasts. She repeatedly told him that she wanted to go home, but he then further sexually assaulted her before raping her.

Afterwards, she got dressed and left before heading directly to a nearby police station. The woman was able to give a detailed description of Musari's appearance and a beanie hat he had been wearing as well as the location of his flat, while she also recalled a torch being placed at his bedside.

When officers visited his address, he answered the door wearing this hat. The torch was also located inside.

Upon arrest, Musari denied having ever met her and "claimed he had never entertained a female in that flat". However, his DNA was discovered on swabs taken from the complainant.

In a statement which was read to the court on her behalf, she said: "Since the incident, my life has been altered dramatically. I feel I'm a different person to who I was before."

Musari has one prior conviction for assault. He was previously cleared of sexual offences in relation to another woman in 2019.

David Polglase, defending, told the court: "The defendant disputes his guilt. He asserts that this is nothing to do with him, and he maintains his position.

"The defendant is educated. He has three children.

"He has had businesses in the past. There is a background of separation from his wife, the loss of his father and his two deceased brothers.

"Your honour knows of his ill health and of his hepatitis. There are mental health issues there and spinal issues.

"I invite the court to bear in mind that he is lightly convicted for a dissimilar offence. The incident was clearly prolonged and there was clear vulnerability shown by the complainant."

Musari was convicted of rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault by a jury following a trial. Appearing in the dock with a walking stick, he was jailed for 12 years.

Sentencing, Judge Daniel Prowse said: "She had the misfortunate to be discovered by you at a bus stop near to your house. She was left in town in drink and with no means of contacting anybody to assist her or contacting a taxi to take her home.

"She was entitled to be treated civilly in that situation. As it was, she found you.

"There is no evidence of why you went to this bus stop near your house in the early hours of that morning. I am unable to conclude that you were out looking for vulnerable women, but as it was you found a vulnerable person.

"You eventually persuaded her to come back to your flat to call a taxi. She had a drink of milk and then lost consciousness or an ability to recall what had happened, until she woke up in bed with you.

"You touched her sexually without consent. You raped her.

"You knew it was without her consent. You paid no heed to what she wanted.

"I am satisfied that from a time shortly after you met her at the bus stop, you knowing how vulnerable she was, you saw an opportunity to commit sexual offences against that vulnerable woman. By the time you got to your house, that was at the forefront of your mind.

"It is significant that, despite the traumatic incident she had just had, she was able to retain all of that detail in order to ensure that she was able to tell the police. That is something for which she is to be commended - it was an impressive feat to be able to do that, and it led in no small part to your apprehension.

"The evidence in this case was overwhelming. It was patently obvious to all that you had raped the victim in this case.

"As it was, you maintained your innocence. The jury were able to see through your lies.

"The incident had a really significant impact on the complainant in this case. Her life has changed dramatically.

"All of that is attributable to you. You found a vulnerable victim and lured her back to your flat for your own sexual wont.

"You continue to assert your innocence and display no remorse. You are however an educated man.

"You are a father. You have had a good work ethic in the past.

"You have worked on a voluntarily basis in the community with children and in sports. Most significantly, it seems your health is and will remain a challenge to you."

Musari will be required to serve two thirds of his sentence before becoming eligible for release on licence, also being handed a 15-year restraining order and told to sign the sex offenders' register for life. He cried "I'm innocent your honour, I'm innocent" before he was led to the cells.

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