Sleeping ‘rapist’ in court

News
A 24-year-old man, who allegedly raped a woman before the victim escaped from his captivity after he had fallen asleep, yesterday appeared before the courts to answer to the charges.

GWERU — A 24-year-old man, who allegedly raped a woman before the victim escaped from his captivity after he had fallen asleep, yesterday appeared before the courts to answer to the charges.

Stephen Chadenga

Charles Lapkin of Mushayabvudzi area, Mvuma, is said to have fallen asleep shortly after he raped the complainant.

Allegations against the accused are that on August 12 he went to the complainant’s place at around 2am, where he broke her house door before gaining entry.

The accused went on to break the lock to the complainant’s bedroom door, where she was asleep.

The complainant was awoken and in panic she got up from her bed.

Lapkin allegedly ordered her to lie down on the bed, saying he wanted to be intimate with her.

When the complainant refused, the accused allegedly tripped her to the floor, undressed her and raped her once before threatening her with death.

Shortly after allegedly raping the complainant, Lapkin fell asleep and the victim escaped and narrated her ordeal to her employer before a report was made to the police.

Gweru magistrate Getrude Mayenyeso remanded the accused in custody to August 28, denying Lapkin bail because he has a previous conviction on a sexual assault charge.