Former Cambridge University rugby player jailed for sexually assaulting student in college room

'You are a very strong 6ft rugby player. You easily overpowered her and she obviously feared for the worst.'

(Rex)

A former Cambridge University rugby player has been locked up after forcing himself on a fellow student in her college bedroom.

Oluwadamilola Erogbogbo, 23, denied sexual assault but was found guilty during an earlier trial at Cambridge Crown Court.

He was jailed for 15 months at the same court on Thursday.

Judge David Farrell QC, sentencing, described Erogbogbo as “a very strong, 6ft rugby player” who “easily overpowered” his victim.

He told the court the defendant, also known as Lola, first met the woman during freshers’ week in 2015.

Erogbogbo and the woman “engaged in sexual activity”, but she “distanced herself” after a second encounter and did not see him again until the night of the offence in November 2015 when they met by chance in a nightclub.

File photo dated 29/05/14 of buildings belonging to Cambridge University. (PA)

They argued before the woman went to her student accommodation, and Erogbogbo went after her.

“You went there despite being unwelcome,” said Judge Farrell.

“You persuaded another resident to let you into the accommodation and having entered the accommodation block you then went to her room, where you entered.

“The door was unlocked. You continued to argue with her, you claiming that you wanted an apology from her.

“However when that wasn’t forthcoming you removed all your clothing apart from possibly your underpants.

“You removed her clothing on her bottom half then you got on top of her on the bed.

“You are a very strong 6ft rugby player. She was a petite woman.

“You easily overpowered her and she obviously feared for the worst.

“Fortunately you were disturbed by the arrival of her friends into the room, one of which prior to entering the room heard the victim shouting ‘no, please don’t’ to you.

“That act of her friends entering the room prevented any further assault.”

Erogbogbo was cleared of attempted rape at his earlier trial.

The 23-year-old, of Kiln Place, Camden, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and a restraining order was made.

Judge Farrell noted the defendant had worked “extremely hard” to pursue a career in the law – “a career that’s unlikely now to be pursued”.

Andrew Howarth, prosecuting, said that after the offence the victim “didn’t know who to speak to and she didn’t feel safe, especially in her own room”.

He added: “This cast a shadow over her entire undergraduate degree.”

David Whittaker, mitigating, said Erogbogbo had no previous convictions and described him as “industrious, hard-working, he’s plainly an intelligent young man”.

In a statement, Cambridge University said: “We can confirm that Mr Erogbogbo was a University of Cambridge student between 2014 and 2017.

“The university continues to offer support to anyone who has concerns about the case.

“Our thoughts are with the victim of this awful crime and with her family who have no doubt been deeply affected by this.

“We commend her courage in coming forward, and would like to thank the police for their efforts in what was a complex investigation.”