Cardiff Community Reels After Shocking Attacks
Cardiff has been left shaken following the sentencing of 28-year-old Amanuele Mebrahtu, a taxi driver from Canton, for sexually assaulting two lone women in October and December 2024. The attacks occurred when the women were returning home, with one assaulted after a ride home and being asked for a hug, and the other following an offer for a piggyback down some stairs.
Authorities launched a meticulous investigation, analyzing CCTV footage that tracked Mebrahtu both on foot and within his vehicle, from the city centre to Cathays. A taxi app on his phone provided second-by-second location data, confirming his movements matched the CCTV footage. DNA evidence later linked him to one victim’s clothing, further solidifying the case.
⚖️ Justice Served at Cardiff Crown Court
Despite his repeated denials, Mebrahtu was found guilty at Newport Crown Court of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by touching. On Tuesday, November 4, he was sentenced to seven years and three months imprisonment, with an extended licence period of three years.
In addition to his prison term, Mebrahtu was ordered to comply with sex offender notification requirements and placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order indefinitely. The sentencing marks a critical moment in delivering justice to the victims and ensuring public safety.
🕯️ Supporting Victims and Raising Awareness
The case highlights the importance of vigilance and community support in protecting vulnerable individuals. Local authorities encourage anyone who may have experienced similar incidents to come forward, ensuring they can access justice and support.
Community members and advocacy groups have expressed outrage at the attacks, emphasizing that public spaces must remain safe and that perpetrators of such crimes must be held accountable. The combination of forensic evidence, CCTV tracking, and technological tools such as app location data played a key role in holding Mebrahtu responsible and protecting the wider Cardiff community.