UK-based Zim man,25, jailed 16 months for sexual a...

UK-based Zim man,25, jailed 16 months for sexual assault

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Zim Now Writer

UK-based Zimbabwean student Rodney Tavaguta,25, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison after sexually assaulting a woman near Weston Favell Police Station.

Tavaguta, who was found guilty of two counts of sexual assault represented himself at his sentencing hearing at Northampton Crown Court on February 16 after sacking his lawyer.

The court heard that in the early hours of July 12, 2022, Tavaguta had been out drinking with a group when he was left alone with a young woman and he took advantage of her “vulnerable state” by touching her sexually without her consent.

Following the sexual assault, the victim was informed that Tavaguta was HIV positive, so she had to go to the hospital to get tested and then endure a week being scared of intimacy as she awaited the results, the court heard. In a statement, the victim said:

“When I am on my own, I get really down. I have flashbacks and, every time I have these, I feel suicidal. Because of him, I feel I can no longer go on nights out or go outside. I am scared it will happen again.”

As the victim’s full statement was read aloud in court, Tavaguta, who appeared via video link from prison, frantically took notes.

There was no pre-sentence report as Tavaguta ignored probation officers’ attempts to contact him and he refused to engage in the process.

Tavaguta grew up in Zimbabwe and spent nearly a year studying at a university in Canada before he had to leave due to unspecified unfortunate circumstances.

In 2021, he obtained a visa to study computer engineering and technology at the University of Northampton.

He was suspended from his university course after the sexual assault took place and he has been remanded in custody for seven months.

As Judge Herbert took a few moments to decide on Tavaguta’s fate, the defendant requested a temporary recess to vape in order to “de-stress.”

Judge Herbert, in his sentencing remarks, said there was no remorse for what had happened.

“You practically admitted your offending to police and yet denied your offending to the very end before the jury.

“This incident was very distressing for her. Her distress is evident from the footage of her at Weston Favell Police Station that I saw during the trial,” the judge said.

Tavaguta was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment and a restraining order was imposed between him and the victim for five years.

He will be eligible for parole in one month after having served seven months in prison.