Ex-councillor convicted of rape

A former Stoke-on-Trent city councillor has been convicted of the rape of a schoolgirl in mid-1990s.

Randolph Conteh, 63, was found guilty today (17 June 2022) of raping a girl under 16 more than 20 years ago following a trial at Derby Crown Court.

The allegations came to light in 2019 when the victim discovered Conteh was a local councillor. She initially contacted Conteh seeking an apology before referring the matter to the police.

Following an investigation, Conteh was arrested and charged with one count of rape.

Conteh, who resigned from his position as a councillor following his arrest and subsequent charge, denied the allegation but a jury found him guilty of the offence of rape.

Sarah Pedley of the CPS said: “Randolph Conteh took advantage of a vulnerable child for his sexual gratification with no regard for the consequences of his action on his victim.

“As a longstanding councillor, he presented himself as a person of integrity and good morals. The stark revelation of his offence would have shattered the trust of the community entrusted to him.

“It is only just that he has been convicted of this offence which the victim has had to live with for more than two decades. I want to commend the victim for her bravery in coming forward to face her accuser and I hope that this conviction allows some closure for her.”

Randolph Conteh will be sentenced on 15 July at Derby Crown Court.