Jonas Amogbokpa sentenced to 14 years for predatory rape of drunk student in Deptford

A man with a previous conviction for indecent assault on a child has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for the predatory rape of a drunk student in Deptford. Jonas Amogbokpa, 43, was also given a four-year extended licence period and an additional one-month sentence for failing to surrender to court bail. The attack occurred in the early hours of 30 August 2024 on Deptford High Street.

Woolwich Crown Court heard that Amogbokpa targeted the victim after spotting her walking alone while he was in his car. Judge Martin Yale described the defendant’s actions as predatory, stating that he made a conscious decision to exploit the victim’s intoxication. Amogbokpa flashed his headlights and beckoned the woman over before driving her away in his vehicle.

Assault and deception

The court was told that Amogbokpa raped the victim and recorded an 11-second video of the assault while she was unconscious in the backseat of his car. The victim began to sober up around 3 am and found herself near Amogbokpa’s flat in Ladywell. She recorded his attempts to pull her into a lift, during which he falsely claimed her keys and phone were inside his flat.

Judge Yale said the defendant’s persistence in following the victim, even after she sat down on the pavement and refused to move, demonstrated his determination to control her. The victim eventually escaped and called the police. Body-worn camera footage captured Amogbokpa shaking his head in disbelief when officers arrived at his home to arrest him two weeks later.

Previous conviction and trial

Amogbokpa had a 2001 conviction for indecent assault on a child, for which he received a five-year prison sentence. Despite this, he was released on court bail ahead of his trial for the Deptford attack. He pleaded not guilty to charges of rape, sexual assault and kidnap but absconded part-way through the trial after being robustly cross-examined.

His barrister, Lawrence Henderson, told the court that Amogbokpa felt the evidence against him was unfair and had taken refuge in a Christian retreat in south London. Judge Yale said the defendant’s decision to flee was driven by his realisation that conviction was likely. Amogbokpa handed himself in at Lewisham Police Station four months later.

Call for other victims

Detective Constable Kelly Mills of the Metropolitan Police praised the victim for her courage in reporting the attack and giving evidence in court. She said the case demonstrated the force’s commitment to bringing sexual offenders to justice but added that officers believe more women may have been targeted by Amogbokpa.

Mills urged anyone with information to come forward, stating that all reports would be treated sensitively and victims would be supported by specialist officers. Amogbokpa waved to supporters in the public gallery as he was led to the cells following his sentencing on 30 July.