Sexual predator jailed for 18 years for rape after spiking woman's drink.

Leeds Man Jailed for 18 Years After Spiking and Raping Woman

A 39-year-old man, Siyabonga Dunga, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for spiking a woman's drink, dragging her to his hotel room, and raping her.

Following a British Transport Police investigation dubbed Operation Milkwort, Dunga was found guilty of committing an offence with the intention of committing a sexual offence, rape, kidnap, and administering a substance with intent by a jury at Leeds Crown Court on Friday, April 19.

The court heard how, in the early hours of Saturday, January 21, 2023, Dunga gave the woman a drink at the Back Room Bar in Leeds. Shortly after, she became disorientated and confused.

Dunga pretended to help the woman by taking her outside for some air. However, he separated her from her friend by asking the friend to go back into the club, claiming the woman had left her phone inside. In reality, Dunga had the woman's phone in his pocket.

While the friend was inside looking for the phone, Dunga took the woman, who could not walk unaided, back to a nearby hotel. CCTV footage from the hotel shows the woman collapsing and becoming unresponsive while Dunga dragged her back to his room where he carried out the rape.

Investigating officer DC Andy Jones said, "Dunga is a dangerous and calculating sexual predator who is thankfully now off the streets. By her own admission, the woman has been left a shell of her former self. Her last memory is of being in the club and saying to her friend she wanted to go home before waking up in a hotel room with Dunga."

Jones commended the victim's bravery and strength throughout the investigation, stating, "She has supported us every step of the way despite struggling with the trauma which she still endures. She remained insistent that this should not happen to anyone else. The events of that night continue to haunt her and it is hoped that now Dunga is behind bars where he belongs it will help in some small way to her getting her life back."

Police emphasize their commitment to taking all reports of sexual offences seriously and hope this case sends a strong message to offenders that justice will be served.