Ex-Barber Acquitted of Rape Allegation in Shop
Omar Bawo, a 38-year-old barber, has been acquitted of rape charges by a jury at Oxford Crown Court. The trial began on February 9, 2023, regarding allegations of sexual assault that took place at a barbershop in Barton on August 28, 2021.
Details of the Incident
The case surfaced when a woman, trying to make a phone call, entered Bawo’s barbershop. Previously, she had utilized the shop’s phone facilities. During the incident, the prosecution claimed that Bawo locked the doors, took her into a back room, and raped her there.
Allegations and Defense
Bawo defended himself against two counts of rape. He asserted that the sexual encounter was consensual. He explained to the jury that the woman was his girlfriend and presented evidence of their prior relationship. He detailed that they were affectionate and intimate before the alleged incident.
- Incident: August 28, 2021
- Bawo’s Age: 38
- Location: Barbershop at Underhill Circus, Barton
- Trial Start Date: February 9, 2023
- Jury Verdict: Not guilty
Defendant’s Background
Bawo, originally from The Gambia, moved to the UK in 2005 and has worked as a barber for 16 years. At the time of the incident, he was renting a chair at the shop but admitted he lacked a work permit. He expressed that he felt scared and confused when he was arrested, fearing for his immigration status.
Jury’s Decision
The trial lasted for several days, with the jury ultimately delivering a unanimous not guilty verdict. Their decision followed an examination of testimonies, including a video interview from the complainant made in October 2021. In her account, she described a contrasting experience of the encounter, stating that he used force during the alleged rape.
Bawo’s acquittal reflects the legal principle of being innocent until proven guilty. The jury’s decision underscores the complexities involved in such cases, where varying accounts and perspectives are debated in court.
