Bruke Desalagne, a 33-year-old Eritrean man, has been found guilty of raping a pensioner outside St John's church in Harrow, north London. The assault occurred around midnight on July 23 last year, when Desalagne dragged the victim from a bench behind hoarding near the church and onto a grass verge.
During the trial, Desalagne, who used an interpreter, initially told police he was trying to help the victim, who was intoxicated. However, after being shown CCTV footage from a council camera depicting the attack, he ceased the interview and refused to cooperate further.
The prosecution presented footage showing Desalagne dragging the heavily intoxicated victim to the grassy area. It also indicated that Desalagne paused the attack whenever pedestrians or vehicles passed nearby. Cars and a double-decker bus were seen driving past close to the scene during the approximately 20-minute assault.
A witness observed the attack from a window and alerted the police, who arrived to find Desalagne standing behind the church sign with the victim lying behind it. Detective Constable Luke Revill described Desalagne as a "dangerous offender" who targeted a "defenceless, vulnerable, elderly man." He added that thanks to public vigilance, the offender was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged and remanded.
The defense argued that there was no evidence of rape and urged the jury to avoid a hasty judgment. Desalagne remained impassive throughout the proceedings and sipped water as the footage was presented. He did not testify at trial.
Authorities are urging anyone who has been a victim of similar offenses to come forward, assuring them of support and that their accounts will be heard by officers.