50-year-old Friday Ugurou attacked a young girl at a property in Axminster then fled the UK in an attempt to evade justice.
MAY 2024
A man from Exeter has been sentenced to more than nine years in prison after trying to rape a young girl in Devon.
Friday Ugurou, 50, assaulted the victim in Axminster. He was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court. today, Thursday, May 2, to nine-and-a-half years in prison.
During the trial, the court was told how Ugurou tried to rape the victim upstairs in a property before being disturbed. He then stopped the attack and pleaded with her not to tell anyone.
Ugurou was arrested and questioned by police, but fled 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, a claim that was rejected by the jury.
A statement from Devon and Cornwall Police said: “Friday Ugurou, aged 50 and formally of Exeter, attacked the victim in Axminster. He was jailed today, Thursday 2 May, to nine-and-a-half years at Exeter Crown Court.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Constable 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.”
There are lots of organisations and support agencies available across Devon and Cornwall that can help provide support for victims of rape or sexual assault.
For more information on rape and serious sexual assault and the support services available, click here. Advice and support is also offered by police partner agencies:
- 0808 802 9999
- Victim Care Unit (Devon and Cornwall) 01392 475900
- Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC) 0300 3034626