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Pastor Guilty of Assault with Intent to Rape By Richard Fletcher ic Cheshire [United Kingdom] March 23, 2007 http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100regionalnews/tm_headline= pastor-guilty-of-assault-with-intent-to-rape&method=full&objectid=18798194&siteid=50020-name_page.html A church leader who intended to rape a woman was 'like Borat', a jury was told. Charlotte Worsley, defending African pastor Yves Aristide Nahangame, 31, said her client's mannerisms might remind them of the comedy character. But a jury of 12 took just over an hour and a half to find Nahangame, from Burundi in Africa, guilty of assault with intent to commit rape. Ms Worsley added: 'If this case was not so serious you may have found him like Sacha Baron Cohen's character Borat. He uses completely inappropriate language. Subtleties are lost with him.' The University of Chester student was reading international development and theology when he met a 26-year-old woman on October 20 last year. After the pair returned to his house in Ermine Road, Hoole, Nahangame's housemate Thomas Henshaw said he heard a 'violent' argument and called police when he heard slapping and crying. When a policeman arrived the woman refused to let go of the officer and was 'petrified'. Simon Parry, prosecuting, said: 'She thought she could trust him (Nahangame) and that it was perfectly safe. 'Bear in mind the ordeal that this young woman has gone through. Look at the reaction when the officer comes to the house - why on earth was she that scared?' Nahangame had admitted slapping her but said he did it because she demanded cannabis from him before she would have sex, took his cannabis and refused to give it back. But the jury decided he demanded sex and assaulted her when she refused. Nahangame was president of Interfaith for Peace and vice president of the Lutheran Church of which he was a pastor in his native country. He had convictions for six offences of claiming benefits while working and one of actual bodily harm on a doorman. Judge Roger Dutton told Nahangame: 'I am very worried about the dangers that you might present to women. The conviction will inevitably mean a lengthy custodial sentence. 'You have been treated as a guest in the UK and you have amassed criminal convictions already.' Nahangame will be sentenced on May 8. He was remanded in custody. |
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