Ex-councillor Randy Conteh jailed for 9 years following conviction for 1990s rape of a schoolgirl.

Former city councillor Randy Conteh has been jailed for nine years following his conviction for the historic rape of a schoolgirl. A jury found the 63-year-old guilty of raping a girl under 16 following a trial at Derby Crown Court in June.

Judge Nirmal Shant has now sentenced Conteh to nine years in prison after hearing how he had left his victim feeling ‘dirty, worthless and miserable’, following the offence which took place in the mid-1990s.

During the trial, the court was told that the victim had been staying at Conteh’s Penkhull home on the night in question. He had come to her ‘naked and sweaty’ as she was sleeping and asked her to touch his penis before going on to rape her.

She confided to one family member at the time, and opened up to other loved ones many years later. She later reported the offence to the police, which eventually led to Conteh’s conviction – he has always denied the offence.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Jonathan Dickinson read from the victim’s impact statement, which revealed how her life had deteriorated as a result of the rape. Her schoolwork suffered, she took an overdose, and at one point had scrubbed herself with bleach because she still felt ‘dirty’.

Cheryl Mottram, mitigating, told the court that the rape could be considered an ‘isolated incident’ as Conteh’s only previous convictions were for a public order offence and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, both dating back to the 1970s.

She also argued that Conteh record of public service should count in his favour, following his 18 years as an elected member on Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Conteh, who had been a member of the City Independents group, had represented Penkhull and Stoke ward on the authority until his resignation in 2021, and had also served on Staffordshire’s police authority and crime and policing panel.

Ms Mottram said: “Not only has Mr Conteh not had any criminal convictions over this period, he has actively contributed to society. He has served as a city councillor for almost 20 years, helping the disadvantaged and helping to make his community better.”

In sentencing Conteh, Judge Shant said she had taken into account mitigating factors, including his years of public service. But she also noted that while Conteh had been able to make something of his life, this had been denied to his victim, due to his actions.

Judge Shant told him: “She has faced devastating consequence as a result of what you did to her that night. Suffice it to say it derailed her life. She was unable to concentrate at school, where she had been a good student. She was not able to fulfil her ambition of becoming a barrister, and she tried to take her own life.”

Conteh was also told that he would be barred from working with children upon his release.

newsadmin

See author's posts