Overview:

This petition calls for an urgent review of the sentence given to Joshua Okugbeni, a convicted sex offender with a prior history of sexual violence.

Despite overwhelming evidence, multiple victims, and a prior prison sentence for rape, Joshua Okugbeni received a sentence for his most recent assault charges that many may view as shockingly lenient: 

Joshua Okugbeni pleaded guilty and was sentenced to:
▪︎ 56 weeks in prison
▪︎ £85 in costs payable to the Crown Prosecution Service
▪︎ £187 victim surcharge 

Given the gravity of the offenses and his criminal history, this sentence has raised serious questions about whether it adequately reflects the harm caused and protects the public.

This punishment is grossly disproportionate to the harm caused and fails to protect women from a known repeat offender.

A sentence of 56 weeks and a £272 fine does not reflect:

▪︎The seriousness of the offence

▪︎The psychological trauma inflicted on the victim

▪︎The repeat-offender status of the perpetrator

▪︎The ongoing risk to women and girls, especially those working alone

This punishment minimises sexual violence and fails to act as a deterrent. It prioritises offender leniency over victim safety.

What Happened:

In the most recent case, a woman working alone in a shop in the Sunderland/Newcastle area became the target of repeated sexual misconduct by Joshua Okugbeni.
Over a period of weeks, he repeatedly entered the premises and accessed private areas of the shop. At the time, the woman was unaware of the full extent of what was happening. The reality only became clear when CCTV footage was later reviewed.
The footage showed Okugbeni committing a sexual act inside the shop, ejaculating on the floor in full view of the camera. He then attempted to clean up using items taken from the shop floor, including children’s clothing.
Upon discovering this, the woman reported the incident to the police and cooperated fully with the investigation. The experience was deeply violating and has had lasting emotional impact.

What We Are Demanding:

We call on the relevant legal authorities, including the Crown Prosecution Service and sentencing bodies, to:

▪︎ Review the sentence given to Joshua Okugbeni
▪︎ Take full account of his previous conviction and repeat offending
▪︎ Reassess whether the punishment adequately reflects the severity of the crime
▪︎ Act in the interest of public protection and justice for victims

Sexual violence is already underreported. When victims do come forward and the consequences are this minimal, it discourages others from ever speaking up.

56 weeks is not justice.

Sign and share this petition to stand with the victims and demand better protection for women.