RAHMIJAH HINDES SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN WARRINGTON PRISON
In a disturbing incident at HMP Risley, located in Warrington, Rahmijah Hindes, a 24-year-old sex offender, committed a heinous act against a fellow inmate, revealing a troubling pattern of violence and exploitation.The assault occurred during a period when Hindes was nearing the end of his incarceration, which was primarily due to previous convictions involving sexual offenses and violent crimes.
According to court proceedings, Hindes, who has no fixed address, was incarcerated after a series of criminal activities, including a previous attack on a teenage girl walking home from a chip shop in Garston.
That earlier incident involved Hindes pushing the girl to the ground and forcibly touching her before fleeing the scene when she screamed for help.
His criminal record is extensive, with 15 convictions across 23 separate offenses, highlighting a long history of violent and sexual misconduct.
At the time of the recent assault, Hindes was sharing a cell with another prisoner on a wing designated for vulnerable inmates.
The court heard that both men had been transferred to HMP Risley and were assigned to share a cell overnight.
Hindes, reportedly under the influence of an illicit substance, became disgruntled about sharing the space.
During this tense situation, Hindes told his cellmate to pull down his trousers and then proceeded to sexually assault him, reportedly stating that he wanted his victim to experience the same feelings as his previous victims.
After the assault, Hindes returned to his own bed and went to sleep, leaving the victim to report the incident to prison staff the following morning.
When authorities arrested Hindes, he initially denied any sexual activity had taken place.
However, forensic evidence, including DNA found on intimate swabs taken from the victim, proved otherwise.
This evidence led to his re-arrest, during which Hindes altered his account, claiming that the encounter was consensual.
The court was informed that the victim was serving time for possessing indecent images of children, adding further context to the severity of the case.
During the trial, the prosecution highlighted Hindes' extensive criminal history, which includes a two-year sentence in a young offenders' institution for robbery and possession of a bladed article in 2016.
His previous convictions demonstrate a pattern of violent and sexual offenses, underscoring the seriousness of his latest crime.
Hindes' defense attorney, Phillip Tully, argued that the circumstances of the incident were influenced by the prison environment.
He explained that Hindes was unhappy about sharing a cell and that the assault was not premeditated but rather a result of the stressful situation.
Tully acknowledged Hindes' remorse and insight into the impact of his actions, emphasizing his difficult childhood, diagnosed ADHD, depression, and anxiety, which he claimed contributed to his behavior.
Despite these mitigating factors, Hindes was found guilty of one count of rape.
He was sentenced via video link from HMP Altcourse to a term of six years and three months in prison.
The court also imposed an additional five-year license period, during which Hindes will be under supervision.
He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Judge Katherine Pierpoint delivered the sentence, expressing her concern over the emotional toll on the victim.
She noted that the victim, who was vulnerable and in a confined space, felt intimidated and frightened by Hindes' actions.
The judge emphasized that Hindes' behavior represented an escalation in his offending pattern, driven by self-interest and a lack of self-control, despite his participation in sex offender treatment programs.
Furthermore, Hindes was subjected to an indefinite restraining order and mandated to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the public.
