A UK court on Thursday sentenced a man to prison for removing a condom without consent during sexual intercourse, marking a significant legal precedent according to London’s Metropolitan Police.
Guy Mukendi, 39, from south London, received a sentence of four years and three months after being convicted in April.
The conviction followed his arrest in May of the previous year, which was prompted by a sexual assault report filed by a young woman in Brixton, south London.
The Metropolitan Police, commonly referred to as the Met, reported that the woman had agreed to have sex with Mukendi on the condition that he use a condom. However, during intercourse, Mukendi removed the condom without her knowledge or consent.
This act, known as non-consensual condom removal or “stealthing,” is classified as rape under the legal system of England and Wales.
The Met highlighted that prosecutions for this crime are infrequent due to under-reporting, but they emphasized their commitment to seeking justice for victims.
The case represents a significant step in the Met’s ongoing efforts to adopt a more suspect-focused approach to crimes that disproportionately impact women and girls.
Mukendi was found guilty on April 2 at the Inner London Crown Court and received his sentence at the same court on Thursday. Detective Constable Jack Earl, who led the investigation, stated that Mukendi consistently denied any wrongdoing.
However, the investigative team successfully built a strong case that convinced the jury of his guilt.
Detective Earl underscored the dedication to securing justice for the victim and emphasized the importance of raising awareness that non-consensual condom removal constitutes rape.
The case serves as a milestone in the Met’s efforts to combat crimes affecting women and girls.
