A Zimbabwean carer has been jailed 15 years in the UK after he raped and impregnated a severely disabled woman. Leeds Crown Court hear...
A Zimbabwean carer has been jailed 15 years in the UK after
he raped and impregnated a severely disabled woman.
Leeds Crown Court heard that Edson Munyikwa (55) preyed on
the victim when he was supposed to be providing respite care for her. A judge described
the offence as "hideous."
The victim had to undergo an abortion and was left
seriously traumatised as she did not understand what had happened to her. The
woman suffers from a range of serious disabilities including brain damage,
epilepsy and autism.
Her condition also means she is unable to speak or
communicate. The offence came to light when it was noticed that she had missed
her period and the epileptic fits she was suffering were becoming worse. Blood
samples were taken and showed that she was three months pregnant.
A police investigation was launched to trace all men who
had been in contact with her. The court heard the woman's father was also
placed under suspicion.
Munyikwa gave a DNA sample after he was identified as being
in contact with the woman. Munyikwa was arrested at his home in Rothwell,
Leeds, after he was identified as being the biological father.
He pleaded guilty to rape.
Judge Mushtaq Khokhar told Munyikwa he was imposing an
extended prison sentence as he considered him to pose a serious risk to the
public. He must serve a custodial term of 12 years followed by an extended
three-year period on licence.
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