Akinwale Arobieke, THE PURPLE AKI OF CONNAHS QUAY AND DEESIDE, SPOTTED IN MERSEYSIDE
| Red Rose Database
Merseyside Deeside Connahs Quay Sexual Abuser
In January 2019, the notorious figure known as 'Purple Aki,' Akinwale Arobieke, was once again seen engaging in his unsettling behavior in Manchester city centre, sparking concern among onlookers and social media users alike. This incident marked his return to public attention, only three years after the lifting of a significant ban that had been imposed on him.
Originally from Liverpool, Arobieke, who stands at an imposing 6 feet 5 inches tall, has long been infamous in the North West region for his obsessive fixation on muscular physiques and his disturbing tendency to approach young men in public spaces. His behavior includes unsolicited physical contact, such as squeezing muscles, and persistent harassment aimed at encouraging individuals to display their strength through exercises like squats or muscle measurements.
Despite being subjected to a 10-year ban in 2006, which prohibited him from touching, feeling, or measuring muscles, as well as asking people to perform exercises or loitering near gyms and sports halls, Arobieke has repeatedly breached these restrictions. His latest sighting was captured at a tram stop in Manchester city centre, where a Facebook page called “Stockport Memes” posted a photograph of him feeling a man’s bicep with the caption: “Purple Aki at it again in Piccadilly.”
The reactions on social media ranged from shock to dark humor, with comments such as “Got to love the commitment of the man,” and warnings like “He’ll be coming for you next.” This pattern of behavior is not new; Arobieke first gained notoriety in 1986 following the tragic death of 16-year-old Gary Kelly, who was electrocuted on a railway line in Wirral, Merseyside, allegedly while fleeing from him. Although Arobieke was convicted of manslaughter in 1988, this conviction was later overturned on appeal, with judges ruling that he had not acted unlawfully at the time.
His obsession with muscles and physicality extended into media and popular culture, with a BBC documentary titled “The Man who squeezes muscles” highlighting his disturbing fixation. He became a figure of fear and fascination, with local parents warning their children to stay indoors after dark to avoid him. His presence was also marked by graffiti, football banners, and even flags at Glastonbury, illustrating his status as a local and national internet sensation.
In 2001, Arobieke faced serious charges when he pleaded not guilty to 50 counts of indecent assault and harassment against more than a dozen teenage boys, spanning from February 1995 to September 2000. He was convicted of threatening behavior and sentenced to two and a half years in prison. After his release, he was quickly re-arrested and charged with 15 counts of harassment and sexual assault following a comprehensive investigation by Merseyside Police. This led to a six-year prison sentence, with authorities branding him a “danger to young men.”
Following his release in 2006, authorities took the unusual step of applying for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, despite Arobieke never having been convicted of a sex offence. This order banned him from touching or feeling muscles, asking individuals to perform exercises, and loitering near schools, gyms, or sports clubs. The order was challenged and initially overturned but remained in force after an appeal by police.
In 2007, Arobieke was arrested again after approaching a man in Preston’s shopping centre, commenting on and touching his biceps without permission. He was convicted of breaching the order and sentenced to an additional 15 months in jail. Despite multiple breaches, including touching the calf and quadriceps muscles of a 16-year-old in 2010, Arobieke has claimed that he is the victim of a police witch-hunt, asserting that he has been arrested numerous times for offenses he has not been convicted of.
Most recently, in 2016, Arobieke appeared in Manchester Crown Court where the judge, Richard Mansell, lifted his ban on touching muscles. The judge questioned Arobieke about his obsession, asking why he targeted younger men and whether his interest was sexual. Arobieke denied any sexual intent, stating that the sexual offences prevention order had hindered his ability to move on with his life. He expressed a desire to change his ways, claiming he would no longer run around touching everyone’s muscles and wanted to reinvent himself.
In the past, Arobieke’s criminal history has been extensive and disturbing. His early notoriety stemmed from the 1986 incident involving Gary Kelly, which resulted in a manslaughter conviction later overturned. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he faced multiple charges of indecent assault, harassment, and witness intimidation, often involving young males. His behavior has been characterized by authorities as obsessive and predatory, with police describing him as a “sexual predator” and a “danger to young men.”
Despite numerous convictions and restrictions, Arobieke’s pattern of behavior persisted, with breaches of his orders and continued public sightings. His case remains a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in managing individuals with obsessive and predatory tendencies, especially when restrictions are challenged or lifted. The latest incident in Manchester underscores the ongoing concern about his presence and the potential risk he poses to the community.
Originally from Liverpool, Arobieke, who stands at an imposing 6 feet 5 inches tall, has long been infamous in the North West region for his obsessive fixation on muscular physiques and his disturbing tendency to approach young men in public spaces. His behavior includes unsolicited physical contact, such as squeezing muscles, and persistent harassment aimed at encouraging individuals to display their strength through exercises like squats or muscle measurements.
Despite being subjected to a 10-year ban in 2006, which prohibited him from touching, feeling, or measuring muscles, as well as asking people to perform exercises or loitering near gyms and sports halls, Arobieke has repeatedly breached these restrictions. His latest sighting was captured at a tram stop in Manchester city centre, where a Facebook page called “Stockport Memes” posted a photograph of him feeling a man’s bicep with the caption: “Purple Aki at it again in Piccadilly.”
The reactions on social media ranged from shock to dark humor, with comments such as “Got to love the commitment of the man,” and warnings like “He’ll be coming for you next.” This pattern of behavior is not new; Arobieke first gained notoriety in 1986 following the tragic death of 16-year-old Gary Kelly, who was electrocuted on a railway line in Wirral, Merseyside, allegedly while fleeing from him. Although Arobieke was convicted of manslaughter in 1988, this conviction was later overturned on appeal, with judges ruling that he had not acted unlawfully at the time.
His obsession with muscles and physicality extended into media and popular culture, with a BBC documentary titled “The Man who squeezes muscles” highlighting his disturbing fixation. He became a figure of fear and fascination, with local parents warning their children to stay indoors after dark to avoid him. His presence was also marked by graffiti, football banners, and even flags at Glastonbury, illustrating his status as a local and national internet sensation.
In 2001, Arobieke faced serious charges when he pleaded not guilty to 50 counts of indecent assault and harassment against more than a dozen teenage boys, spanning from February 1995 to September 2000. He was convicted of threatening behavior and sentenced to two and a half years in prison. After his release, he was quickly re-arrested and charged with 15 counts of harassment and sexual assault following a comprehensive investigation by Merseyside Police. This led to a six-year prison sentence, with authorities branding him a “danger to young men.”
Following his release in 2006, authorities took the unusual step of applying for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, despite Arobieke never having been convicted of a sex offence. This order banned him from touching or feeling muscles, asking individuals to perform exercises, and loitering near schools, gyms, or sports clubs. The order was challenged and initially overturned but remained in force after an appeal by police.
In 2007, Arobieke was arrested again after approaching a man in Preston’s shopping centre, commenting on and touching his biceps without permission. He was convicted of breaching the order and sentenced to an additional 15 months in jail. Despite multiple breaches, including touching the calf and quadriceps muscles of a 16-year-old in 2010, Arobieke has claimed that he is the victim of a police witch-hunt, asserting that he has been arrested numerous times for offenses he has not been convicted of.
Most recently, in 2016, Arobieke appeared in Manchester Crown Court where the judge, Richard Mansell, lifted his ban on touching muscles. The judge questioned Arobieke about his obsession, asking why he targeted younger men and whether his interest was sexual. Arobieke denied any sexual intent, stating that the sexual offences prevention order had hindered his ability to move on with his life. He expressed a desire to change his ways, claiming he would no longer run around touching everyone’s muscles and wanted to reinvent himself.
In the past, Arobieke’s criminal history has been extensive and disturbing. His early notoriety stemmed from the 1986 incident involving Gary Kelly, which resulted in a manslaughter conviction later overturned. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he faced multiple charges of indecent assault, harassment, and witness intimidation, often involving young males. His behavior has been characterized by authorities as obsessive and predatory, with police describing him as a “sexual predator” and a “danger to young men.”
Despite numerous convictions and restrictions, Arobieke’s pattern of behavior persisted, with breaches of his orders and continued public sightings. His case remains a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in managing individuals with obsessive and predatory tendencies, especially when restrictions are challenged or lifted. The latest incident in Manchester underscores the ongoing concern about his presence and the potential risk he poses to the community.