Ayomide Famakinde, a Nigerian man who sexually assaulted a 19-year-old woman, has avoided incarceration, following a court ruling in UK. The ruling, delivered on August 12, 2025, has left the victim visibly shaken and fearful of walking alone.
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According to media sources, Famakinde received an 18-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work. The Judge described the attack as a “momentary lapse” connected to the accused’s background and difficult life.
The incident reportedly happened late at night when the victim and a friend were leaving the beach. Famakinde, intoxicated by drugs and alcohol, forcibly put his hands down the victim’s lower body.
In the victim’s words, the Nigerian man stopped and walked away after a companion intervened. Subsequently, prosecutors confirmed that DNA evidence linked Famakinde to the assault, which ultimately led to his conviction on one count of sexual assault.
However, the south London gym instructor expresses remorse through his defense, stating that the assault was out of character. The defense emphasised the Nigerian man’s good conduct and likelihood for reformation.
Following this, the judge, Nicolas Haggan KC, said the 23-year-old had committed no other crimes since the assault, three years ago. Acknowledging the seriousness of the assault, he noted that a community-based sentence offered the best chance for rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the case has reignited public debate over leniency in sexual assault cases, with many questioning the integrity of the cases. Experts and advocacy groups, stressed that sentences must reflect the lifelong impact such crimes have on survivors.
In the victim’s impact statement, simple acts like going out at night now fill her with fear and anxiety. She disclosed that the gym instructor has ruined her life, leaving her in a distressed position since the incident.
