Ipswich lie detector test proves rape allegations
A Ipswich lie detector test could have helped police recently in a rape case.
The case
Two men have been found guilty of the kidnap and rape of an Ipswich girl following an eight-week trial.
Abdul Howe, 21, and Ajani Williams, 21, have been found guilty of a number of charges, at Isleworth Crown Court.
Sex offender
The victim, then 17, attended Lewisham police station in September 2020. She spoke to the police about how she is a victim of kidnap and rape.
She said she had been taken from her Ipswich home after meeting him on social media.
Ipswich police
Howe had groomed and exploited her as part of his county lines drug operation. The operation moved drugs from London to Ipswich. She was then forced to travel back to Howes’ home in Hammersmith where Anjani Williams met them.
Constant abuse
The pair repeatedly assaulted her over two days. They then allowed her to leave after forcing her to make a voice note indicating she consented to sex.
After reporting the incident, the victim was provided with specialist support. This included a dedicated officer from the Sexual Offences Investigation Team. The officer developed a strong relationship with the victim.
The investigation
Referrals were provided to counselling services and support networks. The officer spent time ensuring the victim got back into school and could continue her studies.
Although the victim knew the suspect’s street names, their real identities were unknown to her. Therefore, the police’s first task was to work out who they were and find them.
The results
The victim told police the Hammersmith address. Despite the house being vacant on police arrival, an image of Howe was quickly provided to them.
He was later found at a linked address, where he was arrested and charged.
Detectives worked closely with the Metropolitan Police’s forensics teams at the crime scene in Hammersmith and located a fingermark, which when tested proved to be a match to Anjani Williams.
A wanted man
Police told the public he was wanted and traced him to a hotel where he was put under arrest in October.
He was in possession of a quantity of cannabis with a street value of approximately £7,500.
Searches of the Ipswich Hostel led to the discovery of the nunchucks and a sword, which was used to threaten the victim.
DNA evidence
The scabbard of the sword had a fingerprint, which identified it as being used by Howe, while a pair of latex gloves contained DNA from Howe and Williams.
Detective Constable Tony Larkin, who led the investigation said: “The offences committed by these men against a vulnerable teenage girl are abhorrent and her account is one of the most distressing I have ever heard.
“They are extremely dangerous individuals and our city will be safer now they are off our streets.
Kidnap and rape
Howe was found guilty of two counts of kidnap, seven counts of rape, one count of possession of an item with a blade or point, one count of sexual assault by penetration, one count of false imprisonment, two counts of actual bodily harm and one count of perverting the course of justice.
Williams was found guilty of false imprisonment, actual bodily harm, five counts of rape and one count of perverting the course of justice. He also pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply a class B drug.
The sentence
Detective Chief Superintendent Owain Richards, of the Metropolitan Police, said: “County lines causes destruction within our communities and, as in this case, offenders often exploit and abuse vulnerable young people after gaining their trust.
“Our efforts to tackle this type of criminality and the supply of drugs are going on across our boroughs every day so that we can safeguard young people and remove those who cause such harm off the streets.
How a lie detector test could have helped
In conclusion, Police are now looking to implement more polygraph testing at their arrest and interrogation stages. Adding a lie detector test into these stages ensures that police have an extra indicator when making a decision on whether a suspect is guilty or not. The added scientific test means police have more evidence and facts to take into their final opinion and charges. A lie detector test in this case could have helped prevent the sex abuse acts.
If you suspect someone you know is guilty of committing acts of abuse or is a victim of abuse, then book a lie detector test online today. You can also call us on our free helpline on 07572 748364.
We provide confidential office appointments and home tests throughout East Anglia.
