Akinwale Arobieke, a 55-year-old bodybuilder known as Purple Aki, has complained to Merseyside police that a BBC3 documentary about his life is racist. The film, titled The Man Who Squeezes Muscles: Searching for Purple Aki, investigates how Arobieke has been portrayed as a bogeyman in north-west England. An accompanying BBC article notes that his nickname was racially charged, suggesting he was 'so black he’s purple'.
Arobieke, who is 6ft 5ins, has a history of convictions related to harassing young men. He is known for approaching younger men, discussing weight training, and touching their muscles. In 1986, he was convicted of manslaughter after 16-year-old Gary Kelly was electrocuted while allegedly fleeing from him, but the conviction was later overturned, and Arobieke received compensation due to alleged racial overtones in the prosecution.
The documentary, first broadcast in September, describes Arobieke as a 'big black' man three times and includes statements such as 'everyone has seen him or been chased by him'. Arobieke told the Guardian that the film failed to mention he has never been convicted of a sexual offence and that his manslaughter conviction was overturned.
Merseyside police confirmed they are investigating an allegation of a race hate crime. A spokesperson said: 'Officers from the Liverpool Sigma team are investigating an allegation of a race hate crime. This follows the release of a BBC3 documentary. Specialist detectives are working alongside partners in the Crown Prosecution Service and at this time the investigation is ongoing.'
Arobieke has a history of legal troubles, including a 2001 acquittal on 50 counts of indecent assault and harassment, followed by a 30-month sentence for making threats to kill. In 2003, he was imprisoned for six years for harassment. After his release in 2006, a sexual offences prevention order (Sopo) banned him from touching muscles or loitering near schools and gyms. However, in May, a judge overturned the Sopo, ruling that the restrictions were draconian and that his behaviour was neither criminal nor sexual.
Arobieke has also asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission to review his conviction for threats to kill, which the CCRC confirmed it had received.
