Sports therapist jailed following sexual assault

“The impact that this assault has had on my life is unthinkable. He has destroyed a part of me I will never get back”- the words of the victim of a sexual assault after the man who abused her was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment on Tuesday (30 April).

Jerry Okoye, 39, (DOB 22/8/1984) of High Street, Hornsey, who pleaded guilty to sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching at an earlier hearing, was working as a sports therapist when he committed the offence against the victim, who was one of his clients.

The offence came to light after the victim’s partner called police on 11 September 2023 to report the sexual assault, which had taken place that day at her address during a home visit from Okoye.

During the treatment, Okoye, who also ran a clinic in Wood Green, took down his shorts and underwear, sexually touched and then digitally penetrated the victim by putting his hands down her pants.

The incident was captured on a camera located at the victim’s address which she had installed to keep an eye on her new puppy while she was out.

Okoye was arrested three days later and was subsequently charged and remanded in custody.

Speaking after Okoye pleaded guilty, the victim of the sexual assault said she had initially felt that the assault was her fault. 

She said: “When the police got to my house, I still felt so dirty and hated the fact that I had to stay in the same clothing. The officers were lovely to me. I just couldn’t process what had happened and it felt like such a whirlwind.

“I knew I was not responsible for anything that he did to me, but I found it hard not to blame myself. I just felt totally numb. Every time I shut my eyes, he was there in front of me and so I didn’t sleep at all.”

“I never wanted to go back to my flat, so I had to start renting it out. It was my safe haven until he destroyed this.”

“I don’t feel safe or comfortable knowing that there are people in the world like him and you just never know who they are.”

Detective Constable Wood, who investigated the incident, said: “The fact that Okoye violated and took advantage of the victim in her own home in his position as her sports therapist is simply untenable. While the victim will have to live with the long-term impact for the rest of her life, I hope the fact that Okoye has been brought to justice for the offences he committed will help her to be able to move on with her life.”