An Eritrean man who was convicted of raping a pensioner next to a north London church entered Britain illegally, GB News can reveal.
Bruke Desalagne, 33, was found guilty by a jury at Harrow Crown Court after they viewed CCTV footage capturing the attack, which lasted approximately 20 minutes.
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The assault took place on a grass verge beside St John’s Church in Harrow, where Desalagne dragged an elderly man behind a hoarding in an apparent effort to hide what he was doing.
CCTV from a council-operated camera captured the sustained assault, with footage showing cars and a London double-decker bus travelling past in close proximity throughout.
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Desalagne, described as a “dangerous offender,” arrived in the UK as a clandestine entrant, claimed asylum and was granted Indefinite Leave to Remain in 2022, GB News can reveal.
A clandestine entrant is a person who hides in or on a vehicle, ship, aircraft, or train to enter a country secretly and avoid official border and immigration controls.
It is illegal under UK law.
The attack occurred at roughly midnight on July 23 last year, when Desalagne moved the victim from a bench to the grassy area outside the church.
The offender repeatedly paused his attack whenever passers-by walked near the scene, according to the prosecution.
A witness who had a partial view of the incident from her window telephoned the police and recorded part of what she saw on her mobile phone, later providing the footage to officers.
Police reached the location within five minutes of the call, finding Desalagne standing next to the church sign whilst the victim lay behind it.
During his initial police interview, Desalagne claimed he had merely been attempting to assist the victim, whom he described as drunk.
However, after being presented with the council CCTV footage, he paused the interview, consulted his solicitor, and refused to answer any further questions.
He did not give evidence at trial either. Desalagne required an interpreter for the entirety of the court proceedings.
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The victim cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Throughout the trial, the defendant displayed no visible emotion, drinking water as CCTV footage was played in the courtroom.
He remained equally impassive when the guilty verdict was delivered.
The jury reached its decision after deliberating for just over two hours.
Simon Shannon, prosecuting, told the jury: “You can see the defendant dragging the heavily intoxicated victim from the bench where he was sitting, and dragged him to the grass area.”
He highlighted how the footage demonstrated Desalagne halting the assault each time a member of the public came close.
Bibi Ihuomah, representing the defence, argued there was insufficient evidence to establish that a rape had occurred and urged jurors to avoid what she termed a “knee-jerk” reaction.
Desalagne is due to be sentenced in the autumn.
Detective Constable Luke Revill of the Metropolitan Police said: “Bruke Desalagne is a dangerous offender who targeted a defenceless, vulnerable, elderly man.
“Thanks to members of the public alerting the police, he was arrested at the scene, charged the following day and remanded by the courts.
“We are committed to bringing sexual predators like Desalagne to justice. We would urge anyone who has been the victim of similar offending to get in touch with the police. You will be supported and listened to by officers.”
A Home Office spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with the victim of this deeply disturbing crime, and all those who have been affected by it. We commend their bravery in coming forward and reporting this individual.
“The perpetrator has now been rightly convicted. After sentencing, we will do everything in our power to remove him, and he will be denied all refugee protections.”
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