A 32 year old man has been jailed for 13 years, with an extended licence of seven years, after being found guilty of raping a woman on a night out in Manchester in August 2022.
The court heard how a woman enjoying a night out at a bar in Deansgate in the early hours of 7 August was approached by Fabrice Kapena who said he would be able to get her and her group into another venue, claiming to know the people who worked on the door.
After getting in his car, Kapena promised to loop back and pick her friends up, but he continued to drive out of the city centre, becoming increasingly threatening throughout the following journey.
After arriving in quiet road, Kapena pushed himself onto the victim, who was then grabbed around the neck and strangled, before being subjected to a horrific rape.
During the attack, the woman fought back and hit and scratched his face, while fearing for her life as he continued his aggressive assault.
Upon managing to exit the vehicle, Kapena continued to be aggressive, and the woman attempted to calm the man while she searched for her phone, as she feared another attack
At around 3am the victim was able to ring the doorbell to a nearby care home, with a care assistant at the home immediately calling 999 and providing support to her. The attending officers likewise ensured she received the appropriate care, with the specially-trained officers utilising the appropriate measures given the account of the victim.
Following an investigation by officers at GMP, Kapena was identified and a warrant executed at his home, in which he was arrested.
Kapena was additionally sentenced for a robbery and theft in the months preceding the sexual offence. In February that year, a woman was taken to Kapena’s address, before becoming uncomfortable and leaving the property. She later discovered that her bag no longer contained her phone or bank card.
On 31 July, Kapena began speaking to a woman in Manchester city centre, before driving her to the Withington area. He then became increasingly threatening, before taking the woman’s phone and punching her to the ground.
The woman was left in the area with no way of getting home, before eventually managing to flag a bus down.
Detective Inspector Andy Worthington, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Kapena’s disgusting crimes have now resulted in a lengthy prison sentence, and I am glad that he is now behind bars for his offences.
“Fabrice Kapena is a dangerous individual who subjected a woman to a vicious attack and I want to commend her bravery during this process, which I know has been incredibly difficult.
“I would urge any victims of sexual offences to get in touch with us. You will be listened to, believed, and we will do our best to get you the justice you deserve.”
