Philip Pariyo, a 32-year-old Ugandan rugby player, has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for raping a woman in Cardiff. Pariyo, who claimed asylum in Wales, was found guilty of the offence in December 2024.
The attack occurred in June 2021, when Pariyo, who had become friends with the victim, assaulted her in a flat in Cardiff. Despite repeatedly denying the allegations, Pariyo was convicted based on strong evidence.
In a letter to the court, Pariyo expressed remorse for his actions, stating that he was “genuinely sorry” for the harm caused. However, the judge criticized Pariyo’s not-guilty plea, which forced the victim to relive the ordeal in court.
The victim’s impact statement described the long-term physical and emotional trauma she suffered as a result of the attack. Judge Celia Hughes emphasized that Pariyo’s actions were a gross violation of the victim’s trust and bodily autonomy.
Pariyo’s sentence is expected to affect his asylum claim in the UK.
