Purple Aki

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Arobieke following his arrest in 2003

Akinwale Arobieke, known locally as Purple Aki, is a convicted criminal from the North West of England. He was widely believed to be an urban legend until his imprisonment in Liverpool in 2001. He was well known as a "bogeyman" in the area, with stories of his activity reaching as far as Wigan and Doncaster. Many stories talk of his sexual attacks, but he has never been found guilty of anything of a sexual nature.

Criminal history

Akinwale Arobieke was born in 1961 and lived on South Hill Road, Toxteth, Liverpool until he was arrested in 2001. He appeared in court on 22nd November 2001, pleading not guilty to fifty counts of indecent assault and harassment against fourteen teenage boys between February 1995 and September 2000. He was convicted of threatening behaviour and was jailed for thirty months.

Released in 2003, Arobieke resumed his activities and was quickly arrested and charged with fifteen counts of harrassment. During the course of the trial 123 people were interviewed by police, including one family who were forced into the Witness Protection Programme as a result of threats from Arobieke. This lead to Arobieke being additionally charged with witness intimidation. On 15 December 2003 he was jailed for six years by Preston Crown Court, pleading guilty to the charges. When sentencing Arobieke, Judge Slinger said: "You are a danger to young men and your behaviour is both strange and obsessive.".

He was released on license on 26 October 2006. Unusually, Merseyside police applied to Liverpool Magistrates' Court for a Sexual Offences Prevention Order against Arobieke, although he was never convicted of a sex offence. Under the terms of the order, Arobieke was banned from touching, feeling or measuring muscles, asking people to do squat exercises in public, entering the towns of St Helens, Warrington or Widnes without police permission and loitering near schools, gyms or sports clubs.

Legends and urban myths

'Purple Aki' is a rare example of an urban legend that appears to have some basis in fact. It is not known when the legend of 'Purple Aki' became established but most sources seem to point to the mid 1980's. In its most basic form, the story is of a sexual predator who attacks and/or captures school children and carves the initials "P.A." into their buttocks. Other versions involve rape or mutilation of his victims.

The origin of his nickname is dubious with many supposed origins. It has been said to derive from his severe acne, a purple cape he supposedly wore, the large purple tongue he would show off when leering at teenage boys or that suggestion that he is "so black, he's purple".

Specific legends include:

• The story of a teenage boy named Gary Kelly who was so tormented by Aki that he threw himself under a train to escape. Other versions of the tale say that Kelly was running from Aki when he was hit by a train on a level crossing, or that Kelly attempted to hide under a stationary train in New Brighton station and was electrocuted by the live rail.

• A boy named only as "Peter" who has spoken out against his ordeal at the hands of Aki, who allegedly forced him to perform squat exercises in public outside his local gymnasium. A court order has now banned Aki from forcing youths to engage in such activities, and a charity has been set up to help Peter in his recuperation of this terrifying episode.

• Another victim, Jacob Milroy, was said to have been confronted by Purple Aki and asked "pop or slash?". Milroy replied "both" and was subsequently sexually abused and mutilated. The legend went on to say that Aki was not charged because Milroy's reply of "both" was taken as consent and therefore Aki's attack was not rape.

• Another key player in the story of Aki' is a well known sexual predator from the Wigan area named Ryan Gormally (or 'Slyan Grassley' due to his devious appearance and behaviour). Over a 12 month period the two where said to have harassed around 12 young people both male and female within the grounds of Haigh Hall. Apparently developing 'signature' moves that each would perform upon their victims including - the 'Turkish Delight' – 'Meat Vein Chain' - ‘12 inch Meatball Sub' and the infamous ‘Reisen Chocolate Chew’ to name but a few. This continued until late 2005 when it is said Gormally vowed never speak to Aki again after an incident outside 'Brisban's Off-License' where Aki is said to have fractured Gormallys cheek-bone with a 'Reisen Chocolate Chew' Bar. There have however been numerous sightings of the duo in late 2006. When they have allegedly discussed their ambition to destroy local minor celebrity 'Sean' (from X-Factor) and his shy-brown-eye. A new age for the partnership would certainly be interesting for the local kids, however is extermely unlikely.