Hamilton police make arrest in ‘senseless’ sexual assault
A 24-year-old Hamilton man has been arrested and charged in connection with a brutal sexual assault and beating early Monday that left a 46-year-old woman in critical condition.
Gbenga Obajuluwa was arrested at a west Hamilton residence around 10 p.m. Wednesday. He is charged with aggravated sexual assault in connection with the attack in an alleyway near Emerald Street North and Barton Street East shortly before 3 a.m. June 27.
Obajuluwa did not know the victim and was not known to police before his arrest, said Det. Sgt. Steve Bereziuk of the homicide unit.
This made it tricky for detectives to identify the suspect, who was captured on surveillance video at the scene, he said. Police released an image Monday, which generated tips from the public that helped police identify him.
The victim remains in hospital in critical condition, unable to tell detectives what happened. The homicide unit was called in to investigate because of the seriousness of her injuries.
Bereziuk said video is key to the case. It shows the alleged attacker walking behind the victim, following at a distance, as she walked on Emerald early Monday.
The victim, who works in the sex trade, stopped at the corner of Barton and Emerald streets, where the man approached her, he said. They had a brief discussion where police believe he arranged to be a client. She then walked, with him following, into a nearby alley.
Soon after a witness in the area heard a woman screaming and saw the alleged attacker running away, shirtless, on Barton, Bereziuk said. The witness flagged down a police officer around 2:55 a.m.
After his arrest, Obajuluwa was interviewed at length by detectives. However, police will not disclose details of what he said.
Without being able to talk to the victim, police do not know exactly what happened in the alleyway, Bereziuk said.
The attack has left sex workers and advocates sad and scared. SWAP (Sex Workers' Action Program) posted a safety warning on social media about the attack on Monday night. Be on red alert, Hamilton," the message warned.
Jelena Vermilion, executive director of SWAP, told The Spectator earlier this week that she is offering support to the victim and her family, including planning a vigil.
The attack is part of a wider problem in our community, where sex workers are often seen as fodder for male violence and as having less dignity, she said. Criminalization of sex work puts workers in danger.
Police said there is no evidence this case is tied to any other assaults in the area.
Anyone with information is asked to call Det. Lisa Chambers of the homicide unit at 905-546-3843. To remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or crimestoppershamilton.com.
For help:
Survivors are encouraged to report to the Hamilton Police Service Sexual Assault Unit (non-emergency line) at 905-540-5553 or www.hamiltonpolice.on.ca to file an online report. To provide information anonymously, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or online at www.crimestoppershamiIton.com.
SACHA (Sexual Assault Centre Hamilton and Area): 905-525-4162
McMaster University Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office: svpro@mcmaster.ca
SAVIS (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention Services of Halton): 905-875-1555
Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Care Centre at Hamilton Health Sciences: 905-521-2100 X73557
Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com
Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com