Description
A man has been jailed for the attempted rape of a young girl in Devon.
Friday Ugurou, aged 50 and formerly of Exeter, attacked the victim in Axminster. He was jailed today, Thursday 2 May, to nine-and-a-half years at Exeter Crown Court.
During the trial the court heard how Ugurou attempted to rape the victim upstairs in a property before being disturbed. He then stopped the attack and begged her not to tell anyone.
Ugurou was arrested and interviewed but left the county while the investigation was ongoing. He continued to evade justice, causing the victim further distress and psychological harm. At trial he claimed he was set-up, an account that was dismissed by the jury.
Following the sentencing, DC Jonathan Stephens from the Local Safeguarding Investigation Team said:
“I welcome the result and I am grateful for the courage and resilience shown by the victim and witnesses in this case, and for supporting this investigation over a protracted period of time.
“I hope this case reassures the community how seriously the police take reports of child sexual offences and gives people the courage to come forward in future.”