PRINCE SAIDI FROM ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT IN GREATER MANCHESTER

In a case that has shocked the community of Ashton-under-Lyne and the wider Greater Manchester area, Prince Saidi, a 35-year-old man originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for a series of heinous crimes involving a teenage girl. Saidi, who had sought refuge in the UK after fleeing the ongoing conflict in the Kivu region in 2015, had previously been granted indefinite leave to remain, also known as settled status, making him a legal resident of Britain.

His criminal actions came to light after he ambushed a 17-year-old girl at a residence in Ashton-under-Lyne. The victim, who was a friend of Saidi’s estranged wife, was subjected to a terrifying ordeal that included physical assault and attempted sexual assault. According to court reports, Saidi forcibly grabbed her breasts before dragging her to the floor. He then proceeded to remove her clothing and attempted to commit rape. The girl, overwhelmed and frightened, initially hesitated to contact the police, fearing social ostracism within her devoutly religious community.

However, she later discovered that malicious rumors had been spread about her, falsely claiming she was an “easy girl” who had sent explicit videos to Saidi. These damaging whispers not only tarnished her reputation but also appeared to be part of a broader campaign to smear her family’s name. The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was compelled to testify in court against Saidi. During the trial, her underwear was displayed as evidence, and she was rushed to hospital from the witness stand due to stress-related stomach pains. The court was informed that she now frequently contemplates taking her own life as a result of the trauma she endured.

In a heartfelt statement, the now 19-year-old victim described the profound impact of the assault. She expressed that she would never forget what Saidi did to her and that she constantly thinks about it. Her trust in people has been shattered, and her confidence severely damaged. She revealed that she has even considered ending her life, and her parents are so concerned for her safety that she shares a room with her sister to monitor her. The girl also stated that Saidi’s actions have taken her virginity and that, despite her cultural respect for him, he showed no regard for her dignity. She accused him of not only physically attacking her but also attempting to destroy her family’s reputation by spreading false rumors.

The court heard that Saidi’s assault occurred in November 2017, after the girl had visited his home to pick up a bottle of baby lotion for his estranged wife, who had moved out. The prosecution described how Saidi locked her inside the house, then forcibly squeezed her breasts and molested her as she begged him to stop. He then dragged her into the living room, pulled down her clothing, and removed his trousers. The assault was interrupted when she threatened to alert the police and her parents, prompting Saidi to apologize and escort her home. The girl confided in her uncle about the incident, but he advised her not to report it to the authorities, believing the matter would be dealt with within the Congolese community. It was only in June 2018, after hearing about the false rumors circulating about her, that she made a formal complaint to the police.

Prosecutor David Bentley detailed the assault, stating, “The defendant dragged the complainant to the floor in the hallway then proceeded to stand on her legs. There was a further additional standing on her legs to restrain her to allow him to undo and lower his trousers to below the knee. The complainant was 17 at the time and was vulnerable within that property, with the door being locked, which made her exit difficult. An aggravating feature was the subsequent rumors suggesting she was ‘easy’ and that she had sent a naked video of herself to the defendant. These rumors effectively implied she had initiated the behavior, despite her being only 17 and not sexually active at the time.”

Saidi’s defense lawyer, Mark Fireman, argued that there was no concrete evidence linking Saidi to the spread of rumors, describing them as “barber shop gossip” that had been repeated within the community. He emphasized Saidi’s background, stating he was born in a conflict-ridden region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, ended up in a refugee camp, and was brought to the UK by government representatives. Fireman highlighted Saidi’s status as a permanent resident and his role as a father to three young children, aged five, three, and seven months. He described the incident in November as “an act of pure madness, wholly out of character,” asserting that Saidi believed he saw signs that were misconstrued and that he was remorseful.

Judge Angela Nield, presiding over the case at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester, delivered the sentence and detailed the severity of Saidi’s actions. She stated, “You are a citizen of the eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo who came to this country as a refugee. The victim had entered your home to collect some baby lotion, unaware that she was being locked inside. You subjected her to a dreadful and terrifying experience. It took months before she reported these events, partly due to her family’s efforts to resolve the matter privately, but she was eventually forced to seek police help after rumors began circulating within her community.”

Judge Nield also emphasized the trauma experienced by the victim during the court proceedings, including giving evidence and the humiliation of having her personal clothing displayed publicly. She noted that the girl’s mental health had suffered significantly, with feelings of betrayal, loss of trust, and thoughts of self-harm. The judge highlighted that Saidi would be required to register as a sex offender for life, be subject to a restraining order preventing contact with the victim, and be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults upon his release from prison. The court’s decision reflects the gravity of his crimes and the lasting impact on the victim and her family.