17-year-old rapist guilty of murdering Stevens Nyembo-Ya-Muteba

 

On 7 December 2007, Joseph Ekaette was found guilty of murdering 40-year-old Stevens Nyembo-Ya-Muteba after stabbing him to death near his home in Hackney, east London. Stevens was attacked on 1 October 2006 after asking a group of youths in the block of flats he lived in to keep the noise down. They were also said to have been urinating in the stairwell and attempting to start a fire.

Following the sentencing, Stevens’ wife Veronique issued a statement thanking people for their support. She went on to say: “I want it made known that there are no winners in this situation. We are all losers. Our lives have been destroyed. Stevens will never come back to us. He will not fulfil the dreams that he cherished for himself and his family. He will not share in our children's graduation and the special moments in their lives. This year when Debbie turned 8 and Sheridan 5, they wanted their dad to be there for their birthday - but he was not.”

Less than a month earlier on 23 November, Ekaette and Sebastian King, 20, were sentenced to a minimum of five years in prison for raping a 15-year-old girl in Hackney in 2006 which they filmed on a mobile phone. Detective Inspector Dave Corby said; "Until police seized the mobile telephone during the investigation into the murder of Stevens Nyembo-Ya-Muteba, the rape had not been reported. The victim was identified, contacted by police and supported throughout the case… The victim of this horrific crime bravely came to court and gave evidence against her attackers, showing far more courage than was ever displayed by Ekaette and King. I hope that as far as possible she can now put this terrible ordeal behind her and continue with her life."

Both attackers were ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register and Ekaette is due to be deported on completing his prison terms.