Liverpool residents were shocked on Tuesday night when news broke that Akinwale Arobieke, the infamous bodybuilder known locally as “Purple Aki,” had died at his home in Toxteth.
The 64-year-old had long been a well-known figure in the city, both for his passion for the gym and for the controversies that followed him for decades.
Infamous Past and Legal Troubles
Arobieke first made headlines in 2003 when he was sentenced to six years in prison for harassing 15 men.
His fascination with muscular physiques earned him the label of a “modern-day bogeyman” in the press.
During his time behind bars, police issued him a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) in 2006, banning him from touching men’s muscles or entering gyms.
Breaching the SOPO and Appeals
Despite the restrictions, Arobieke faced further legal trouble in 2015 when he touched a young man’s muscles on a train traveling from Manchester to Wales, breaching the SOPO.
Throughout his legal battles, he maintained that he had been targeted unfairly, calling it a “modern-day witch hunt” by authorities.
In 2016, he successfully represented himself in court to lift the 10-year ban on touching men’s biceps.
Compensation from Police
Years later, Arobieke won a substantial payout from Greater Manchester Police after suing the Chief Constable for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office in 2022.
The case drew significant attention, highlighting his continued battle with the authorities and his insistence that he had been wrongly treated.
Death at Toxteth Home
Arobieke was found dead at his home on Devonshire Road in Liverpool’s inner-city Toxteth area, according to the Liverpool Echo.
His passing marks the end of a controversial life that had long divided public opinion between fascination and fear.
Legacy and Public Reaction
While Purple Aki was a figure of controversy, his death has sparked conversations across Liverpool about his life, the justice system, and the ways communities respond to unconventional figures.
More details are expected to emerge as the story develops.
