Akeeme Randall, 29, of Wellfield Street, Warrington, was sentenced to five years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday after being found guilty of rape. The court heard that Randall subjected his victim to a violent sexual assault, ignoring her repeated refusals and physically restraining her when she resisted.
Attack and Arrest
The incident occurred when Randall first sexually touched the complainant. She told him 'no, get off' and pushed him away. However, Randall proceeded to rape her and, when she continued to resist, 'wrapped his arms around her arms' in a bear hug, leaving her unable to move, prosecutor Catherine Elvin told the court.
After the victim reported the assault to the police, Randall was arrested. In his police interview, he claimed he 'didn't have a clue what she was talking about'. At trial, he changed his account, asserting that the sexual activity was consensual and even initiated by the victim. The jury rejected his version and convicted him of one count of rape.
Victim Impact Statement
In a statement read to the court, the victim described feeling 'violated' by the assault. She said giving evidence at trial was 'the most overwhelming thing she has ever had to do' and that facing her past trauma again was 'emotionally draining'. She remains 'anxious about the future' and fearful of further contact or retaliation.
Defence Mitigation
Randall has five previous convictions for 12 offences, including driving matters, possession of cannabis, and breaching court orders. Defence barrister Marisa Cohen acknowledged that 'the inevitable sentence today will clearly be one of a long period of time in custody'. She argued that Randall had 'work to do in relation to his attitudes' and was motivated to change. Cohen highlighted his life experiences, including the loss of his father and witnessing family issues, as significant factors. She also noted his positive qualities: he had maintained steady employment, qualified at school, completed an apprenticeship, worked at a car dealership, and later set up his own rendering business. Cohen pointed to his role as a father and his imminent fatherhood of another child as matters for the court to consider, along with his lack of relevant previous convictions and relative youth (he was 25 at the time of the offence).
Sentencing Remarks
Sentencing Randall, the Honorary Recorder of Liverpool, Judge Andrew Menary KC, said: 'When she realised what was happening, she told you, clearly, to stop. She said no and get off. She tried to push you off. You knew perfectly well that she did not want any sexual activity with you, but, nevertheless, you continued. She continued to tell you no and push you off. When she resisted, you became annoyed and wrapped your arms around her arms, restricting her so that she could no longer move them.'
The judge added: 'This was plainly a serious rape. She had made her lack of consent absolutely plain. You, though, chose to ignore her. You used your physical position and strength to overcome her resistance. You treated her not as a person but as someone whose wishes you could simply override.'
Judge Menary noted that Randall had denied the offence and shown no genuine remorse, continuing to maintain his innocence. He acknowledged the impact on Randall's family, saying 'their hearts must be breaking at the situation that you have created', but stressed that the consequences for others 'cannot outweigh the seriousness of this offence or the need to protect the public'.
In addition to the prison sentence, Randall was handed a 10-year restraining order banning him from contacting his victim, and he will be required to sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely.
