BIRMINGHAM PASTOR GUILTY OF RAPING CHILDREN
A religious leader who posed as a prophet and combined his spiritual role with work as a pharmacist exploited his position to repeatedly abuse children through so-called 'holy baths' intended to protect them from evil.Over a span of two decades, Michael Oluronbi targeted seven young victims, threatening them with failure in exams or accusations of witchcraft if they resisted his advances.
Four girls became pregnant as a result of his abuse, leading his wife, Juliana Oluronbi, to organise unlawful abortions.
One of the girls reported she had undergone five or six abortions during her secondary school years.
A jury at Birmingham Crown Court found both Oluronbi and his wife guilty on multiple charges.
Witnesses described Oluronbi as having an almost hypnotic influence over his congregation, where his words were accepted unquestioningly, according to police testimony.
One victim described the experience as severe, noting that the abuse had long-lasting effects on everyone involved.
The Crown Prosecution Service highlighted that the victims were under the influence and authority of the defendants, and that they believed their actions were sanctioned by divine will.
The abuse, which involved one boy and six girls starting from when they were as young as eight years old, persisted into their adult years.
The assaults began after Oluronbi founded a splinter group linked to the Cherubim and Seraphim Church, operating out of a private residence in Birmingham.
The court heard that the 'spiritual baths' administered in an upstairs bathroom served as a cover for sexual misconduct, including indecent assault during washing rituals and rapes.
The victims were often forced to wear red sashes during these incidents.
Police revealed that three of the four girls who became pregnant underwent multiple abortions, often arranged by Oluronbi under false names.
The abuse continued until a victim finally reported it to authorities.
Oluronbi was arrested in May 2018 at Birmingham Airport, attempting to leave the UK.
During police interviews, he confessed via recorded video, admitting blame and describing himself as 'an animal'.
The 60-year-old, residing in Longbridge, Birmingham, was convicted on 15 counts of rape, along with charges of indecent and sexual assault.
His wife, aged 58 of Walsall, was convicted of aiding and abetting Rape on three counts.
