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Eritrean Migrant Convicted of Rape in Newport Amid Deportation Concerns
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Conviction Details
A jury at Cardiff Crown Court returned guilty verdicts on March 2024 for Radiet Meles, 35, on charges of rape and assault by beating. The five-day trial concluded with the judge warning that Meles faces a “lengthy custodial” term when sentenced on November 20. Meles denied the offences, but the jury found the evidence sufficient for conviction.
Prior Offence and Immigration History
Meles, a former Eritrean soldier, first entered the United Kingdom illegally in 2015, hidden inside a lorry that passed through the Channel Tunnel. After a two-day detention in Dover, he was released and eventually settled in Newport, where he worked at a food-packaging factory, an Amazon distribution centre, and a car wash. In February 2019 he was tried for the attempted rape of an unconscious woman at a house party on August 13, 2018. He was acquitted of rape but convicted of attempted rape and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. At that sentencing, Judge Christopher Vosper QC warned that, upon release, Meles would likely be held in an immigration detention centre and that the Home Secretary might issue a deportation order.
Official Judicial Remarks
“After your release, it's likely you will be held in an immigration detention centre. As a consequence of this offence and sentence, the Home Secretary is likely to make a deportation order in your case.” — Judge Christopher Vosper QC
Timeline
- 2015 – Meles arrives in the UK concealed in a lorry through the Channel Tunnel.
- August 13, 2018 – Incident leading to first conviction; victim heavily intoxicated at a Newport house party.
- February 2019 – Convicted of attempted rape; sentenced to five years.
- March 2024 – Convicted of rape and assault by beating after a five-day trial.
- November 20 – Scheduled sentencing date; judge has warned of a “lengthy custodial” term.