Austin Osayande 42

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A rapist who carried his victim to a secluded spot before attacking her and telling her he was HIV positive has been jailed for life.

The woman - then aged 24 - was walking to get a taxi home in Leeds city centre when she was targeted by Austin Osayande in August 2015.

Police released CCTV footage after the attack, but he was not caught until he assaulted another woman last year.

He was jailed for life at Leeds Crown Court with a minimum term of 16 years.

Osayande, who is now 40, of Sissons Road, Leeds, had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault and one count of rape.

Sentencing him, the judge said he was a "sexual predator" and a danger to women.

The rape victim, who spoke directly to Osayande during his appearance at court, said the attack had led her to "drinking, self-harm and suicide attempts".

She added that what Osayande had told her after the rape, when he "laughed and said he was HIV positive was mentally and physically harrowing".

She continued: "I have endured so much pain over the years that I will never overcome the torture you put me through. No matter how much therapy I have, it will never fully take it away.

"You had intentions that night to ruin someone's life and that life was mine."

Prosecuting, Christine Egerton said the woman recalled just wanting "to get home to her own bed" when Osayande approached her as she walked for a taxi along Kirkgate in the early hours of 14 August 2015.

He picked her up in his arms and carried her to a secluded doorway in nearby Mark Lane where he put her into a "physical lock" and raped her, the court heard.

She screamed for him to "get off", but he replied it "wouldn't take long".

Afterwards, he let go of her and "laughed and told her he was HIV positive", the court was told.

DNA was recovered as part of the investigation, but the rape remained unsolved for more than six years until Osayande sexually assaulted another woman in her own home.

On that occasion, he was working as a Hermes driver and knew the woman because of deliveries he had made to her house.

Ms Egerton said on the day of the attack, 10 September 2021, Osayande had delivered a parcel to her and said he was going to "come and knock on her door for a coffee later".

'Emotional wreck'

He did return and the pair chatted for a while before he sexually assaulted her, the court was told.

Ms Egerton said the victim tried to push Osayande off, "but he was bigger than her and it was not possible".

Police later linked him to the 2015 attack through his DNA.

A statement from the second victim said she had been left an "emotional wreck" by the ordeal.

She said: "I am not sure I will be able to be emotional or physical with anyone ever again, and most of all I hate myself for making a stupid choice."

Mitigating, Robert Mochrie said Osayande "does wish to express his genuine remorse for both sets of offending".

He told the court: "There is no explanation for what he has done, but he accepts that what he has done is very, very wrong indeed."

Sentencing him, Judge Guy Kearl QC, Recorder of Leeds, told Osayande: "You are a danger to women, whether known to you or strangers in situations where you can get them alone and then force yourself on them.

"This danger has continued for at least six years. There is no reason to think it will not continue."

The judge said Osayande would serve at least nine years and six months before he was eligible for parole and would be on licence for the rest of his life.

Speaking afterwards, Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Pat Twiggs said Osayande was "the absolute embodiment of a dangerous sexual predator".

He said his "appalling actions" had caused trauma to his victims and it was "likely" there were other victims who he urged to contact police.