TENDAYI MAGADU SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND VOYEURISM IN WEST LOTHIAN
A man from West Lothian, Tendayi Magadu, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term after a jury found him guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses.Magadu, aged 51 and residing in Broxburn, was convicted of raping two women and committing voyeurism against one of them, with the incidents spanning nearly a decade from August 2010 to November 2019.
During the trial at the High Court in Edinburgh, evidence was presented that detailed the disturbing nature of Magadu’s crimes.
It was revealed that he had recorded one of the rapes using his mobile phone, capturing the assault on video.
Additionally, he made recordings of his victim engaging in private acts, with the apparent intent of deriving personal sexual gratification or humiliating her.
These recordings were considered violations of voyeurism laws and added to the severity of his offenses.
Magadu, who denied all allegations and chose to give evidence in his own defense, attempted to justify his actions by referencing a hunting analogy.
When questioned by prosecutor Shanti Maguire about the abuse, he responded, “Why would I do that?
That would be like scaring away the prey.” This comment was seen as indicative of his attitude towards women, which the prosecution argued was reflective of a broader pattern of disrespect and predatory behavior.
The court heard how Magadu verbally abused his victims, calling one of them “used goods,” a term that underscored the contempt he held for them.
Despite these allegations, Magadu maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings.
His convictions include two counts of rape, with the assaults occurring when the victims were either asleep or intoxicated, rendering them incapable of giving consent.
The first victim, now aged 42, was raped after Magadu recorded the act.
The court was shown the video of this assault, which took place while she was asleep.
The evidence detailed how Magadu removed her clothing, raped her, and then continued the attack after she woke and told him to stop.
He also made two additional recordings of her engaging in private acts, which constituted voyeurism.
The second victim, now aged 46, was also raped by Magadu during a period between August and November 2010 when she was intoxicated.
Despite her pleas and attempts to resist, Magadu continued his assault.
The court heard that he had also made recordings of this victim, which were viewed during the trial, and that these images were seen by a 12-year-old boy, causing further distress.
Following the verdict, the court was informed that Magadu had previous convictions for road traffic offenses and had served time in prison for attempting to pervert the course of justice.
His defense solicitor, Brian Gilfedder, requested that Magadu be granted bail pending sentencing, which was scheduled for next month.
However, Lady Poole, the presiding judge, decided to remand him in custody until the sentencing hearing.
In her sentencing remarks, Lady Poole emphasized the gravity of Magadu’s crimes.
She sentenced him to an extended term of nine years, with a custodial period of seven years and six months, followed by a two-year extension in the community on license.
The sentence was backdated to October 17, 2024, when Magadu was first remanded in custody.
Lady Poole highlighted the serious nature of the offenses, noting that the victims were vulnerable due to intoxication or sleep, and that Magadu’s actions had caused them significant emotional and psychological harm.
She expressed concern over the images and videos he had made, some of which were viewed by a young boy, adding to the distress.
She also referenced a victim impact statement, which detailed the ongoing emotional toll and stress caused by the case.
The judge pointed out that Magadu’s use of alcohol at the time of the offenses likely impaired his judgment and contributed to his behavior.
Despite some steps taken to address his alcohol problems, the court found that the risk of reoffending remained high unless he made further efforts to control his behavior and address his sense of entitlement.
Magadu was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and was subject to notification requirements under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Non-harassment orders were issued to prevent him from approaching or contacting the victims or other specified individuals, with strict conditions to be followed.
In conclusion, Lady Poole underscored the importance of protecting vulnerable women from such predatory behavior and emphasized that the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crimes committed.
Magadu’s case serves as a stark reminder of the criminal justice system’s commitment to holding offenders accountable and safeguarding the public from harm.
