A man from Manchester has been jailed today for 12 years after being found guilty of raping a 25-year-old woman in January 2018.
Ernesto Lusadisu (DOB 01/05/1986), of Sawley Road, Miles Platting, was found guilty at a trial at Manchester Crown Court in November to one count of rape and sexual assault by penetration.
Today (7 December) he was sentenced to 12 years for rape and nine years for sexual assault by penetration to be served concurrently.
The court heard how, in the early hours of the morning on 21 January 2018, Lusadisu approached the victim on Church Street in Manchester City Centre and told her he was a taxi driver.
The victim had become separated from her friends after a night out and was heading towards Manchester Piccadilly station to get a taxi home.
The woman was intoxicated and unsteady on her feet, the court heard.
Lusadisu walked her to his car and agreed to drive her home.
The victim urged Lusadisu to stop driving upon realising that he was heading in the wrong direction. Instead, he told her that he was taking her to his home address.
The court heard how, once outside his address on Sawley Street, he dragged the victim to his flat where he raped her.
The victim managed to get away and alerted a resident in a nearby flat who alerted the police.
Detective Sergeant Kirsty Wroe, of GMP Trafford CID, said: “The victim trusted this man to safely drive her home.
“Instead, he lied and took advantage of her by abusing her in one of the worst ways possible. It is only right that Lusadisu remains behind bars for 12 years.
“I would like to thank the victim for her cooperation through what must have been an incredibly gruelling and tough investigation.
“While she may never be able to fully move on from this awful incident, I hope that today’s sentence will bring some form of closure to an incredibly tough period in her life.”
Anyone affected by this case should contact police online, if able, via www.gmp.police.uk , or call 101. Details can be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.
- Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.
- Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk
- Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to boys and men in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182
