Family living in paedophiles' former home 'unable to return' after windows smashed by protesters
An innocent family was forced to flee after dozens of protesters gathered outside the former home of two convicted paedophiles in Walsall last night.
Around 100 people assembled outside the former home of Michael and Juliana Oluronbi on Sunday evening, forcing police to move the new residents out of the address for their own safety.
It came following false reports that paedophile pastor Michael Oluronbi, who repeatedly raped children and adults over a 20-year period, and his wife, who was convicted of three counts of aiding and abetting rape, were still staying at the address in Walker Road, Blakenall.
Officers soon moved to confirm that the sex abusers were both in custody ahead of their sentencing, having been convicted at Birmingham Crown Court last week. The address given for the couple in court was in Hockley, Birmingham, but the couple had also lived in Blakenall.
The new residents of the Oluronbis' former home were moved after several windows were smashed, West Midlands Police said, with local PCSO Tracy Ash adding that "they are now unable to return to their own home".
PCSO Ash sent out a neighbourhood alert warning people against taking the law into their own hands.
"I am sure that you can understand how dangerous and upsetting this whole situation has been for those people falsely targeted by this incident," she said.
"However much those involved in the disorder felt they were acting to protect the local community they have, by taking the law into their own hands, caused undue distress and damage to innocent families and their property and diverted police away from other incidents where they were needed.
"People must not take the law into their own hands in this way. If they have concerns they should contact the police.
"As your Neighbourhood team we ask that if you witnessed this incident or have video footage of anyone involved in this incident, either at the location or posting information online inciting others to target the address, then you let us know as a matter of urgency.
"Any information provided by any of these means will be treated in the strictest confidence and your details will remain anonymous if you so request.
A spokesman for West Midlands Police added: "For clarity, Michael Oluronbi was remanded in prison since he was first charged with the offences. Juliana Oluronbi was bailed during the trial at court but was remanded into prison immediately after being convicted.
"Neither of these two people have been in Walker Road (or indeed anywhere in public) since being convicted. They remain in prison awaiting sentence.
"Around 100 people gathered in Walker Road yesterday and several windows were smashed; the new residents were moved from that address for their own protection. One officer was also injured.
"We appreciate the anger this case has generated; these are appalling offences. But we would ask people not to react to unfounded social media speculation and that we will take action should criminal offences be committed.
"We continue to appeal for any victims in this case, or anyone with information, to come forward. You can call us on 101 or Live Chat with us via our website."
Protesters 'happy with police answers'
The protest was organised by Liam Walsall, 22 and from Bloxwich, who said he was happy with the answers police gave at the scene.
The protest started at around 5pm and organisers had left the scene by 8.30pm.
Mr Walsall said: "On Friday we heard that Michael Oluronbi and his wife were guilty of horrific sex offences and child sexual exploitation. The registered address was in Walker Road.
"The community had seen people who matched the details given in the press. We gathered to demand the police remove them from our community. We got answers from the inspector and everything passed off peacefully.
"We won't tolerate any paedophile or known sex offenders in our community.
"We won't be returning to the address as we are happy with the answers we got from the police."
Who is Michael Oluronbi?
Self-styled prophet Michael Oluronbi, originally from Nigeria but based in Birmingham, was found guilty of sexually abusing six girls and a boy after a nine-week trial.
The offending happened over a period of 20 years, at various locations going back to the 1980s.
WATCH: Victim's relative confronts rapist
Five of the victims attended his church and for some of the victims the abuse continued into adulthood.
During the trial, a jury heard that some of his young female victims became pregnant multiple times but were taken to abortion clinics by qualified pharmacist Oluronbi to cover up what was happening.
He was convicted of 15 counts of rape, seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault.
The 60-year-old's wife Juliana was convicted of three counts of aiding and abetting rape after helping arrange some of the terminations.
Oluronbi was linked to a Christian church in Edgbaston, Birmingham - the Cherubim and Seraphim Church - whose roots were in Nigeria.
He set up on his own splinter group for about 40 adults and children - separate to the church and located at another address - where he began a practice of "spiritual bathing".
Oluronbi was arrested at Birmingham Airport in May last year, while trying to leave the country for Nigeria with some of his ceremonial belongings and a sum of cash.
The offences took place in Birmingham and London.
