Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Wednesday 5th March 2025, at 17:40hrs
Two men who lured underage girls with alcohol and then subjected them to years of horrific sexual abuse at so-called “parties” have been jailed for a combined 38 and a half years.
Romauld Stefan Houphouet, 37, and Absolom Sigiyo, 42, were found guilty of multiple counts of rape against two 15-year-old girls between 2011 and 2012, following a painstaking investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA).
Sheffield Crown Court heard harrowing testimony of how the vulnerable teenagers were groomed, plied with alcohol, and then repeatedly abused in Sigiyo’s Rotherham home and another property.
The victims, now in their 20s, described being treated as “fresh meat” by the men, who exploited their chaotic lives and desire to escape a care home.
Houphouet, an Ivoirian national, was sentenced to 20 years, while Sigiyo, from Zimbabwe, received 18 years and six months. Sigiyo was also convicted of intimidating one of the victims in an attempt to derail the NCA investigation.
Both men will be subject to restraining orders and must sign the Sexual Offences Register.
The abuse began almost immediately after Houphouet encountered the girls in Rotherham town center in 2011. He raped one of the girls in an alleyway before taking them to a party at Sigiyo’s home, where the sustained abuse began.
One victim recounted being forced to perform a lap dance and then being raped in a bedroom. The girls were regularly picked up from the town centre and pressured to go to Sigiyo’s home, where they were given alcohol, cigarettes, and taxis in exchange for sex.
The court heard how Sigiyo raped one of the girls two to three times a week, and on one occasion, she woke to find him attempting to rape her.
Houphouet was described as possessive and once raped a victim in a vengeful act after discovering her with another man, Jacek Brzozowski.
The NCA’s Operation Stovewood, which investigates historic sexual abuse allegations in Rotherham, identified the women as potential victims.
Senior Investigating Officer Kath Blain praised the women’s bravery in reporting the abuse.
“Words can barely describe the bravery these two women have shown in reporting what happened to them,” SIO Blain said.
“I’m so pleased that the National Crime Agency and its partners have secured justice for both women. Sigiyo and Houphouet are now facing the consequences of their horrendous crimes against two vulnerable girls.”
Martin McRobb, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, condemned the men’s actions, stating,
“These defendants preyed on vulnerable young girls who they knew they could groom with alcohol and gifts with the sole aim of repeatedly sexually exploiting them.”
Jacek Brzozowski, 35, will be sentenced for sexual activity with one of the girls on April 14. Operation Stovewood continues its investigation, having identified over 1,100 victims and secured convictions against 42 individuals.
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