BENI MUBIALA SENTENCED TO 11 YEARS IN GLASGOW FOR SERIOUS SEXUAL OFFENCES

Beni Mubiala, a 27-year-old man from Glasgow, has been handed a substantial prison sentence after being convicted of multiple severe sexual offences committed within the city. The conviction was finalized in the High Court of Glasgow on Monday, 8 July 2024, following his guilty plea entered during a hearing on 7 June of the same year.

These heinous acts took place over a span of nearly a year, specifically in July 2021 and April 2022. Mubiala exploited the trust and familiarity he had with two women, both of whom he knew personally, to commit these crimes. The details of the offences reveal a disturbing pattern of abuse and violence, which have left lasting impacts on the victims.

Detective Inspector Danny Clark issued a statement emphasizing the gravity of Mubiala’s actions. He said, "Mubiala took advantage of two women known to him and now faces the consequences of his despicable actions. I hope the sentence provides his victims with some form of justice and allows them to move forward with their lives." Inspector Clark also urged victims of sexual crimes to come forward and report incidents to the police, assuring that law enforcement agencies are committed to pursuing justice in such cases.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Kevin McCallum KC delivered a stern judgment, imposing an extended sentence of 11 years on Mubiala. This sentence comprises a custodial period of nine years, with an additional two-year extension, reflecting the seriousness of the offences and the need for deterrence and public protection.

In his remarks, Judge McCallum detailed the nature of the crimes, which involved two separate victims and multiple acts of sexual violence. He noted that Mubiala had pleaded guilty to two charges of rape, but emphasized the gravity of the offences, especially considering the context and the breach of trust involved.

Regarding the first victim, a young woman with whom Mubiala had an intimate relationship, the judge explained that the boundaries of their relationship had been discussed and agreed upon, explicitly excluding sexual intercourse. Despite this, Mubiala proceeded to penetrate her vagina without her consent after engaging in consensual activity. The victim had clearly asked him to stop, but Mubiala continued until she physically pushed him away, thereby abusing her trust and raping her.

The second victim, a young woman who was Mubiala’s colleague, was met by chance during a night out. Their interaction escalated from kissing to sexual activity at her student accommodation. After she asked him to stop, Mubiala persisted by persuading her to perform oral sex, which she eventually did before trying to sleep. However, Mubiala then used force to turn her onto her back, sat on her, and forcibly penetrated her vagina. The assault continued with Mubiala turning her onto her knees to penetrate her anus with his finger, then back onto her back for further vaginal penetration. During this assault, Mubiala also choked her by placing his hand around her throat, causing her to gasp for air, and slapped her across the face. These acts involved significant violence and sexual assault, with Mubiala employing force and intimidation throughout.

The court heard that Mubiala was already on bail for the first offence when he committed the second, aggravating the severity of his actions. The impact statements from the victims highlighted the profound emotional and psychological harm caused by Mubiala’s conduct. The judge acknowledged the inconsistency in Mubiala’s account of the first offence, noting that he denied the offence despite his guilty plea, which reflected poorly on his credibility.

Although Mubiala had no prior convictions and had a reasonable work history, the court recognized his early life challenges, including his migration from the Congo. Nonetheless, the seriousness of the offences and the high level of culpability, especially regarding the second offence involving violence, necessitated a strong custodial response.

Judge McCallum emphasized that the nature of these crimes, particularly the escalation to violence, posed a significant risk to the public, especially women. Consequently, he imposed a single, combined extended sentence of 11 years, consisting of nine years of imprisonment followed by a two-year extension period. This sentence was carefully calculated to reflect the totality of Mubiala’s offending behavior, ensuring that the punishment was proportionate and effective for deterrence.

Furthermore, the court considered the need to protect potential future victims. As such, a Non Harassment Order was issued, prohibiting Mubiala from contacting or approaching the first victim indefinitely. Additionally, Mubiala will be subject to the Notification Requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 for an indefinite period, mandating registration as a sex offender.

In conclusion, the court’s decision underscores the severity of Mubiala’s crimes and the importance of safeguarding the community from individuals who commit such acts. The sentence aims to serve justice for the victims and to prevent further harm, reflecting the judiciary’s firm stance against sexual violence in Glasgow.