Man jailed for Knutsford rape

A 25-year-old man who raped a woman in Knutsford has been jailed for 17 years.

Marcell Koekemoer, of HMP Bristol, but previously of Stretford, was sentenced on Tuesday 30 April.

He was previously found guilty of two counts of rape in relation to the incidents following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

The case first came to the attention of Cheshire Police in August 2022 when the victim submitted an online report stating she had been raped by Koekemoer. 

She told officers Koekemoer had asked to stay at her address in Knutsford two days previously, after being locked out of his own address. She agreed he could stay, providing he slept on the sofa.

However, during the early hours of the morning, Koekemoer entered her bedroom and proceeded to rape her. The following morning, he raped her again when she asked him to leave her address.

Koekemoer was arrested in August 2022 and interviewed in relation to the allegations, which he denied.

He was subsequently released on conditional bail while further enquiries were undertaken.

While on bail, Koekemoer went on to commit further offences in the Avon and Somerset area.

Following a joint investigation by both forces, Koekemoer was charged in October 2023.

On top of his custodial sentence, he is subject to an indefinite restraining order and must sign the sex offender register for life.

In a victim personal statement read in court, the victim said:

“As a result of this crime, I was having flashbacks for several months. I have to live where the crime happened, and for a long time I was not able to sleep in my own bedroom. I had to sleep on my sofa or on the floor.

“Straight after, I kept myself to myself. I stopped going out and socialising for quite a few months after the incident. It’s massively affected my job due to the amount of time I had to take off.

“My anxiety has been very bad since the incident. I am still very up and down after what happened.”

Detective Constable Charlotte Dutton and Detective Constable James Atherton of Macclesfield CID added:

“I would like to recognise the courage of the victim in this case by coming forward and reporting what happened to her.

“Not only did Koekemoer subject her to a horrific ordeal, but despite being on bail for rape offences, he went on to commit further offences in another force area.

“He then forced his victims to sit through a trial rather than take accountability for his actions.

“But he was found guilty of his crimes and is now behind bars.

“I hope that this encourages other victims of sexual offences to come forward and report them to us. 

“We treat all reports extremely seriously, and any allegation will be thoroughly investigated, with the wishes and needs of the victim as our main priority.”

To report any sexual offence, call Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit https://www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/v1/rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/%20.

Information can also be given anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.