On 3 July 2022, Olaf Koranteng, a 27-year-old man who had recently arrived in the UK from Ghana, committed a violent sexual assault at Pulse nightclub in Cardiff. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when Koranteng, who was married and in the country on his wife's visa for less than a month, targeted a woman who had become separated from her boyfriend after visiting the unisex toilets.
According to court proceedings at Cardiff Crown Court, Koranteng had been searching online for casual sex using derogatory terms like 'local slags' prior to the attack. He approached the victim, grabbed her hand, and forcefully pulled her into a toilet cubicle against her will, locking the door behind them. Inside, he pushed her against the back wall, placed his hands around her neck, and attempted to kiss her. When she resisted, he tried to force her hand onto his penis. Ignoring her protests and pleas that she was with her boyfriend, Koranteng pulled down her underpants and rubbed his erect penis against her vagina, coming very close to penetration before she managed to unlock the door and escape.
The victim, who has lifelong anonymity, immediately broke down in tears and informed her boyfriend and nightclub staff. She later described the ordeal to police, stating, 'It's wrong, it's absolutely wrong,' and detailed her lasting trauma in a victim personal statement. She felt 'disgusting' and 'gross' due to the man's 'germs,' endured humiliating examinations at a sexual assault referral centre without being able to shower beforehand, and developed a profound fear of strangers, vowing never to use mixed toilets again. The attack left her mentally struggling, blaming herself initially, and prompted her to start gym training to build strength.
Koranteng returned to the dancefloor after the incident and was arrested at the club, appearing 'confused' to officers. During his police interview, he remarked, 'Am I going to get away with this? I have learnt my lesson,' and claimed he was having a 'fun night meeting white people.' CCTV footage showed him approaching multiple women that night, and swabs confirmed the victim's DNA on him. He later pleaded guilty to attempted rape; charges of sexual assault against two other women were not pursued.
In mitigation, defence barrister Josh Scouller argued that Koranteng was 'drunk and tired,' had 'misread the signals in a major way,' and failed to appreciate 'cultural differences' in the UK, viewing his arrival as a 'golden opportunity.' He expressed remorse and shame for the distress caused. However, Recorder Bilal Siddique rejected this, describing the case as a 'stranger rape case' where Koranteng had isolated, overpowered, and nearly raped the victim after targeting vulnerable women. The judge noted, 'You have nearly managed to rape the victim having isolated her, overpowered her, removed her underwear, took your penis out and pressed your erect penis against her vagina, coming very close to penetrating her.'
The sentencing hearing took place on 6 January 2023. Koranteng, of Lower Cathedral Road, Cardiff, received four years and one month imprisonment, with an extended three years on licence, and faces automatic deportation upon release. South Wales Police investigated the case, highlighting the severity of the sexual offence committed in a public venue.