By Gabriel Manyati
A Zimbabwean national, Innocent Majoni, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison at Leeds Crown Court in the United Kingdom for three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, but he failed to appear for the hearing and is currently at large.
The 47-year-old, who was convicted after trial, exploited his victim by threatening to have her deported unless she complied with his demands. The terrified woman told the court she fears Majoni will kill her if he is not apprehended.
Reading her victim impact statement during the sentencing hearing this week, the woman said: “I still do not feel safe. He forced himself on me. He threatened to go to the Home Office. I came here for safety and ended up in this situation. He called me ‘fresh meat’ and it made me feel dirty. Emotionally, physically and mentally it has impacted me. If he can’t be found and brought to justice, I will never feel safe and will always worry what he is doing to other women. Where is he? I’m still at risk. I’m traumatised by everything.”
The court heard that Majoni had “taken a shine” to the woman and exploited her vulnerable predicament. It took her a number of years to report the offences, only after she had settled her immigration status. Majoni, formerly of Foundry Lane in Seacroft, Leeds, then fled.
Recorder of Leeds Guy Kearl KC, who presided over the case, noted that Majoni had exploited the victim. In addition to the 13-year custodial sentence, the judge imposed a lifelong restraining order, making any contact with the victim a separate criminal offence.
Majoni was born in January 1979 and holds Zimbabwean nationality. According to UK Companies House records, he served as a director of ILS24 Health Care Limited, a company based at Mabgate Business Centre in Leeds that has since entered liquidation. He was appointed on 1 July 2013 and resigned on 3 January 2023.
His case featured prominently in the list of dangerous criminals sentenced at Leeds Crown Court this week, placing him alongside other serious offenders including a paedophile who abused children as young as one and received an extended 32-year sentence.
Leeds, located in West Yorkshire in northern England on the River Aire, is a major city with a population of approximately 830 000 in the city proper and over 2.3 million in the wider city region. It is the third largest city in England by population.
West Yorkshire Police are understood to be seeking Majoni, who remains wanted.
The victim’s bravery in coming forward after securing her own safety has been highlighted in court proceedings, underscoring the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in the justice system.
