Akinwale Oluwafolajimi Oluwatope Arobieke (15 July 1961 – 26 August 2025), widely known by the nickname Purple Aki, has died at the age of 64. A British man, Arobieke was primarily known for his criminal convictions related to harassment, particularly involving young men, though he was never convicted of a sexual offence.
Born at Crumpsall Hospital in Lancashire, Arobieke’s early life was marked by challenges. His mother, of Nigerian descent, was a secretarial student, and his father’s identity is unknown. Placed in care as an infant, he spent part of his childhood in a Barnardo’s home in Llandudno.
As an adult, he held a variety of jobs, including working as a cleaner in the Mersey Tunnels and as a messenger for Liverpool City Council. Arobieke first came to widespread public attention due to a controversial criminal case.
In 1986, a 16-year-old named Gary Kelly died at New Brighton railway station, allegedly while running from Arobieke. He was initially convicted of involuntary manslaughter but successfully appealed, with the conviction overturned on the grounds that he had not acted unlawfully.
He later received approximately £35,000 in compensation due to alleged racial overtones in the prosecution. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Arobieke’s behaviour towards young men led to multiple harassment convictions.
In 2003, after a trial involving dozens of victims and witnesses, he was jailed for six years for harassment and witness intimidation. Police described him as a persistent threat, with Judge Edward Slinger calling his behaviour “strange and obsessive.”
Following his release in 2006, a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was imposed to prevent him from touching, measuring, or harassing young men. This included restrictions on entering certain towns or loitering near schools, gyms, or sports clubs.
Despite never being convicted of a sexual offence, Arobieke repeatedly breached these restrictions. In 2007, he touched a man’s biceps in a Preston shopping centre, violating the SOPO and receiving a 15-month prison sentence.
Over the following years, he faced additional convictions for breaching the order, with judges describing him as a “sexual predator” in at least one instance, and acknowledging the fear his behaviour instilled in victims.
Arobieke also pursued legal action against authorities, alleging racial discrimination and police misconduct. In 2022, he won a substantial, undisclosed settlement in a civil case against Greater Manchester Police for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office.
He argued that two officers had targeted him with false allegations over several years. Beyond his criminal history, Arobieke’s notoriety extended into popular culture.
In 2016, BBC Three aired the documentary The Man Who Squeezes Muscles: Searching for Purple Aki, which prompted him to allege that the film incited racial hatred. He had long objected to the nickname “Purple Aki,” which he considered racist, and successfully lodged complaints about its use in media and advertising.
Arobieke’s life remained controversial, marked by persistent legal troubles, public notoriety, and disputes with police and media outlets. Nevertheless, his case also highlighted issues surrounding the criminal justice system, police conduct, and race relations in the United Kingdom.
Akinwale Oluwafolajimi Oluwatope Arobieke was found dead in his flat in Toxteth on 26 August 2025. He was 64 years old. His passing marks the end of a life that, despite its notoriety, sparked extensive public debate and legal scrutiny over decades.
