"A predatory rapist was given a new job at a Liverpool housing association while still on bail over a sex attack which left a teacher pregnant and infected with chlamydia.
Oluseyi Oni, 36, targeted his victim in July 2016 in a horrific attack which she said left her “violated, embarrassed and disgusted” - and which was reported to police immediately.
Yet more than a year later he featured in his employer’s newsletter shamelessly sharing his “mantra” for success and saying he was proud to be part of their “family.”
Oni was arrested and interviewed on suspicion of rape, but still managed to get a new job with Prima Group while on bail.
Oni, of Worcester Avenue, Old Swan, was this week jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of two counts of rape, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Despite being repeatedly interviewed about the attack by police following the rape, Oni started his new job as a housing assistant in January 2017. He had a legal duty to declare a previous jail sentence at this point, but it is not clear whether he did so.
A newsletter shared by Prima Group this summer introduced Oni as a “new starter”, featuring a photo of him smiling at his desk.
According to the newsletter Oluseyi, known as Seyi, joined the housing service team from Riverside housing association, bringing with him “a wealth of customer service experience.”
The newsletter said: “When you call Prima PHA or Prima LCH Seyi is one of the team who aims to resolve 80% of all your calls at first point of contact.
Speaking about his new role at Prima, Oni was quoted as saying: “I’m proud to be part of the Prima Family, and my mantra is ‘undertake what you do in an excellent fashion. There are no prizes for average performance’.”
Oni was not charged with rape until April 2017, but the summer newsletter featuring his photo and showcasing him as a new employee appears to have been published in August - after he was charged.
Riverside told the ECHO Oni had been a temporary employee - and had not declared any convictions when asked to do so by the recruitment agency they used.
The housing association worker also had a host of previous cautions and convictions hanging over him when he began his new role assisting tenants in Liverpool.
In 2007 Oni was cautioned for kerb crawling before a 2011 conviction for driving without a licence, giving a false statement to obtain insurance and failing to surrender.
Oni was also jailed for nine months in May 2013 for conspiracy to commit fraud.
However, despite being a convicted fraudster and receiving a police caution for soliciting sex workers, Oni was able to find work with two housing associations
It is unclear whether Oni was subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for his role at Prima Group, or whether his new employers were aware of his previous convictions and ongoing rape investigation.
Riverside said they only became aware of Oni’s previous convictions when contacted by the ECHO, and confirmed that their former employee did have access to tenants’ information in his role with the housing association.
Prima Group were repeatedly contacted for comment but had not responded by the time of publication
Leann Hearne, executive director of shared services at Riverside, said: “We are very shocked to hear about this awful incident and our thoughts are with the victim of this appalling crime.
“Today we launched an immediate investigation into the circumstances surrounding his temporary appointment with us.
“He came to us as a temporary agency worker through a recruitment agency who are obliged under contract to us to carry out all necessary pre-employment checks
He worked with us for several months as a customer service adviser before moving on to a post with another organisation.
“Such office-based roles do not meet the eligibility criteria set by the Disclosure and Barring Service for a DBS check to be carried out.
“The recruitment agency asks all their candidates in writing whether they have any criminal convictions as part of their vetting process. The agency has told us that no convictions were declared in this case."