CPS News Brief

Man jailed for 22 years for series of sexual attacks in Derby

A man who committed a series of sexual attacks in Derby has been jailed for 22 years today (25 August).

 

Ilija High targeted and attacked women in parks and open spaces in the city.  Forensic evidence linked all the attacks to the same person.

 

High was arrested in early 2017 and the Crown Prosecution Service advised that he be charged with three counts of rape, three counts of attempted rape and one count of sexual assault by penetration.

 

When arrested, he admitted attacking three women and pleaded guilty to all the offences charged. He was sentenced to 22 years with an extended licence period of eight years.

 

Rebecca Edwards from the CPS said: “Ilija High put these women through a terrible ordeal. Thankfully this kind of attack, committed by a stranger, is rare, but these attacks can put the community in fear.

 

“Although High admitted what he had done, the CPS had to put the case before the court in a way that enabled the Judge to determine an appropriate penalty for the gravity of the offending and the threat to the community. 

 

“The CPS and police have worked together to build a profile of the defendant and the impact of his actions on his victims and the community. I would like to thank the victims for their bravery and determination to see Ilija High convicted. They have helped us throughout and it is due to them that High has been brought to justice.”

 

Ends

Notes to editors:

• The attacks took place in the Spondon, Chaddesden and Darley Park areas of Derby.

 

• High was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order and will be a registered sex offender for life.

 

• Rebecca Edwards is a Senior Crown Prosecutor from the CPS East Midlands rape and serious sexual offences team.

 

Background:

 

Ilija High carried out his attacks because he was unable to form a sexual relationship with a consenting partner. He admitted in two cases to asking his victims for sex and assaulting them when they refused. 

 

As well as the impact on his victims, the CPS has considered and put to the court the impact on the community. Many local people, including children attending local schools, were fearful that the attacks had taken place in such a confined area and were afraid of their own safety, requiring significant intervention from the police to provide reassurance. This has been communicated to the sentencing court in the form of community impact statements.

 

Following subsequent police investigations and admissions by Ilija High, he has also been charged and sentenced for possession of indecent images of children.

Teenagers guilty of killing man with stolen marine distress flare

Two teenagers have today (24 August) been found guilty of manslaughter after they threw a lit marine distress flare into a car where a man was sleeping.

Their victim, Vilson Meshi, was spending the night in the vehicle outside his partner’s home at Basildon, Essex.  He died from smoke inhalation.

Keani Hobbs, 18, and a 16-year-old youth, who cannot be named, were convicted at Chelmsford Crown Court.

During the trial, the youth gave evidence in his own defence and said Hobbs was responsible for Mr Meshi’s death.   Hobbs did not give evidence but a statement she gave to police, denying the allegations, was read to the court.

 

Paul Scothern for the CPS said: 

“A marine distress flare burns at an incredibly high temperature and the tragic consequences of throwing one into an enclosed space, such as the car where Mr Meshi was asleep, were shocking.

“We were satisfied when reviewing the case that there was sufficient evidence that both were jointly responsible for the theft of the flares and also for Mr Meshi’s death. 

“As there was no evidence of a deliberate intention to kill Mr Meshi, the appropriate charge against them was manslaughter, rather than murder.

“We hope Mr Meshi’s family and friends can take some comfort from the verdicts and our thoughts are with them.”

 

--ENDS--

Notes to editors

 

1. Paul Scothern is a Crown Advocate in the East of England Complex Casework Unit.

2. Mr Meshi was found dead in his car on 27 February 2016 in Pincey Mead, Basildon, Essex.

3. Details of charges against Keani Hobbs and the youth:

• Manslaughter – on 27 February 2016 unlawfully killed Vilson Meshi
• Theft - between 1 January 2016 and 20 February 2016 stole marine hand held flares belonging to Charles Armstrong.

4. The defendants will be sentenced on 25 August

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Gang members jailed for kidnap, rape and knife attack in Exeter

Three members of an Exeter street gang who kidnapped and raped a woman they believed was working for a rival gang have been sentenced to a total of 61 years in custody today (22 August).

Abdiraman Kadir, Abdiraman Abukar and Mohammed Ibrahim were also sentenced for wounding with intent in a knife attack carried out on the same day as the rapes.

Exeter Crown Court heard the men, who were all of Somali heritage, were members of the ‘Chyna Crew’ gang, which regularly travelled from Birmingham to Exeter to sell drugs. They were involved in an ongoing dispute with a rival group over the supply of Class A drugs in Exeter.

On 23 February 2017, the three men targeted a woman who acted as a ‘runner’ for a rival gang and set about humiliating and assaulting her. They made her drink water from a toilet and kiss the bottom of their feet. The trio threatened to set her on fire and stab her before taking her to a second address in Exeter where she was raped by all three men.

The court heard that during this time, the three defendants left the flat where they repeatedly stabbed a man they believed was linked to a rival drugs gang. Their victim suffered serious injuries to his legs and lower body.

A fourth defendant, Amber Olivia, who acted as a ‘runner’ for the group to deliver drugs, was convicted of possessing a Class A drug with intent to supply and conspiracy to cause GBH.

Allie Longhorn, of the CPS, said:

“Kadir, Abukar and Ibrahim launched a chilling day of violence in two targeted attacks in Exeter, carefully organised to protect their gang’s reputation. All three defendants denied the offences but prosecutors were able to demonstrate their individual roles in the kidnap, false imprisonment and rape and the knife attack.”

“The first victim was subjected to a truly horrific, prolonged incident of serious sexual assault. It must have been a terrifying ordeal for her and she has shown tremendous courage in not only reporting the incident, but being prepared to support the prosecution and give evidence against these dangerous people in court.

“I hope the significant sentences imposed today are some comfort to her, and demonstrates to the wider local community that the police and CPS take these offences very seriously.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Allie Longhorn is a Crown Prosecutor in the South West.
• Kadir received 23 years in prison.
• Abukar received 23 years in a young offenders institute.
• Mohamed received 15 years in a young offenders institute.
• The three men’s sentences included an offence of possessing a firearm after an earlier incident on 8 February.
• Olivia will be sentenced tomorrow (23 August).