Latest Offenders London

Description

An asylum seeker who raped a woman in Hyde Park has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Abdelrahmen Adnan Abouelela, a married father of one, approached her in the central London park as she was walking home alone from a night out in November 2024. He then lured his victim to a secluded spot where he raped her.

Abouelela, who claims he was held as a political prisoner and tortured in Egypt, is in the UK illegally, Judge Gregory Perrins told Southwark Crown Court.

Judge Perrins told the 42-year-old defendant, whose address was given as a hotel in Ealing, west London: "You were driven purely by your own sexual desires."

Automatic deportation order

"It must have been obvious to you that she was a woman under the influence of alcohol who was alone and vulnerable," Judge Perrins told the court.

"You made the decision to take advantage of her vulnerability."

Judge Perrins added: "You simply did not care that she could not consent: you just took what you wanted."

Abouelela arrived in the UK in April 2023 and claimed asylum for fear of persecution in his home country of Egypt, the court was told.

His wife and son currently live in Turkey, the court heard.

Judge Perrins commended the victim for her "immense bravery and courage" in giving evidence during Abouelela's trial at the same court earlier this year.

Jurors found Abouelela guilty of one count of rape on 22 May.

Because he was given a prison sentence of more than 12 months, he will be subject to an automatic deportation order.

Description

An 18-year-old who sickeningly and opportunistically sexually assaulted four women over three days on the transport network has been jailed, following a British Transport Police investigation.

Hadi Al Koumi, 18, of Bideford Avenue, Ealing, was sentenced on Friday (12 September) at Isleworth Crown Court to 4 years and 8 months after he pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and was found guilty of a further sexual assault carried out over a two-day period.

He was also handed a 6-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a life-long signature on the Sex Offenders Register.

The court heard how, on 6 August 2024, at around 5.15pm, the first victim – a woman in her 30s – was at St John’s Wood underground station when her train arrived. As she went to board, Al Koumi crouched down behind her and sexually assaulted her, before running away.

Two days later, on 8 August, the second victim – a woman in her 30s – was at Green Park underground station at around 2.40pm when her train arrived. Al Koumi then walked up behind her and sexually assaulted her. As the victim turned to look at him, he walked away, before looking back to her and winking at her.

Less than two hours later at 4.20pm, the third victim - a woman in her 40s - was at East Acton underground station was distracted by her phone. Again, Al Koumi approached the victim from behind and sexually assaulted her.

Then, later that day at around 11.15pm, a fourth victim, a woman in her 30s, was on board a train between Greenford and Perivale station when she was approached by Al Koumi, who attempted to engage her in conversation. The victim politely asked him to leave her alone, to which he persisted. After telling him again, he stood up, as did she, and he sexually assaulted her. The victim managed to throw a glass at him as the doors opened and she left the train, before calling 999.

Al Koumi was captured on CCTV during all four offences and the incidents were linked together and his images were circulated. On 27 August 2024, officers from the British Transport Police (BTP) North Tasking Unit (East) were on patrol at Perivale station when Al Koumi was spotted and arrested.

Detective Sergeant Matthew Nolan said:

“Al Koumi took deliberate advantage of the rail network in order to assault multiple women for his own sexual gratification.

“He's clearly a dangerous predator who has exhibited a disturbing and abhorrent pattern of offending towards women, so I’m grateful to see the sentencing handed down today, and I hope it can bring some sense of closure and comfort to the women he targeted.

"There is zero-tolerance for sexual offences on the rail network, and we have uniformed patrols and specially-trained plain clothes officers on patrol at stations and on trains around the clock to keep the travelling public safe. We will continue to do everything in our power to bring offenders like Al Koumi to justice.”

Description

A community leader who abused his position of trust to carry out sexual offences against children in Chatham has been jailed.

Qari Sher Mohammad targeted a total of four children over almost a decade until his brave victims raised the alarm.

Concerns about his behaviour were first raised in 2018, when one of the children revealed he had touched her sexually, while carrying out duties connected to his role as an imam. This happened at a mosque in Thorold Road, between March 2014 and October 2016.

Arrested 

He was arrested and interviewed in April that year, but the investigation did not progress to a charge at that stage due to concerns about the potential impact a trial would have on the young victim.

Between May 2022 and December 2023, Mohammad sexually assaulted three further children and he was arrested on 11 December.

As part of their enquiries, investigating officers returned to the victim who had made the previous allegation in 2018. Now an adult, she stated she wished to support a police prosecution for the crimes committed against her.

Mohammad, of Woodford Road, Forest Gate, London was charged with multiple counts of sexual touching of a child. He denied the offences and, on 7 March 2025, was convicted at Canterbury Crown Court on 16 indictments.

Jailed

On Friday 12 September 2025, Mohammad, 61, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment. He will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for five years once he is released. 

Detective Constable Conor Middleton said:

‘This man was in a position of authority when these appalling offences were committed. The children showed immense courage by reporting his actions and I would like to commend them and their parents for assisting our investigation.

‘Mohammad is now serving a prison sentence and he should reflect on his actions and the impact they had on these vulnerable victims.’

Description

A convicted paedophile has been jailed for the sixth time after grooming and sexually assaulting an eight-year-old boy.

Stephen Lott, 47, of Kingsbridge Road in Harold Hill, has abused young boys and girls since the mid-1990s, when he repeatedly orally raped a girl aged five to seven.

He has since accumulated 22 child sexual abuse convictions, including groping girls aged five and eight at South Kensington station in 2016.

Out of prison, Lott reoffended in late 2023, grooming the boy over nine months with gifts before kissing him and inviting him home for further abuse.

Lott claimed the kiss was accidental during a hug, but a jury convicted him of sexual assault on a child and meeting a child following grooming.

At his August 8 sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court, Lott attributed his behavior to childhood struggles making friends.

Supported by his sister, her husband, and a church official, he begged Judge Ross Cohen for "one more chance," citing plans for a YouTube career making sci-fi videos.

But Judge Cohen said: “You delude yourself and others that your behaviour towards children is innocent and based on an affinity you have for them as a result of your own low confidence.

“The sad truth, Stephen Lott, is that your behaviour towards children is both sexualised and predatory.”

The judge noted Lott’s prior convictions, including gross indecency with a child aged five to seven—which would be charged as oral rape today.

The victim’s mother’s statement read: “Steve never made me aware he had previous convictions. It’s made me feel really anxious for my son, that he’s had to go through this. It’s been a really horrible time.

“It’s disheartening and sinister, I feel like a failure for not protecting him.”

Deeming Lott “dangerous,” Judge Cohen imposed an extended sentence: four years in prison plus three years on licence.

A parole board may release him after two years and ten months if deemed safe; otherwise, he serves the full term, remaining on licence until 2032.

The Met Police released Lott's latest custody image today (September 10).

Description

A former Newham Labour councillor has been found guilty of sexual assault.

Daniel Lee-Phakoe, 38, of Libra Road, Newham, was found guilty of one count of sexual assault by touching by a jury at Inner London Crown Court.

The assault took place at a public house near Liverpool Street station on Friday 5 May 2023. Lee-Phakoe’s wife had arranged leaving drinks as she was moving department within the council.

During the evening, Lee-Phakoe approached the victim and carried out a series of persistent and unwelcome verbal sexual approaches, including a proposal of a sexual encounter in the bathroom. Lee-Phakoe also approached the victim’s side of the table, stood next to her and pinched her bottom with his left hand. The victim stated that Lee-Phakoe pinched her bottom at least ten times. His grip was described as firm and unrelenting. 

The victim who cannot be named for legal reasons said:

“The assault itself has left me feeling dirty, disrespected and a worthless woman who had suddenly become the focus of unwanted and disgusting sexual touching, demands for sex in a public toilet and being physically trapped in spite of attempts to move. His approach was both violating, aggressive and manipulative in assaulting me in a public place with his wife in the same bar and only a short distance away.

“This has been a horrendous experience. This sexual assault was unforgivable and I made the complaint to stop this happening to other women and to stand up to a sexual predator who has no idea or care of the impact of what he did to me.”

Lee-Phakoe left the table for a time and during that period the victim asked her friend to stand next to her in case he came back. Undeterred Lee-Phakoe approached the table again and tried to push pass the friend to get to the victim. The friend heard Lee-Phakoe persistently ask the victim to go to the toilets with him.

The friend said:

“He arrived at the table again and continued to push against me and comments towards the victim for 10 minutes or so. I said to him ‘can you please stop and calm down.’ He stopped pushing but continued to ask her to go toilets with him. After what seemed like an exceptionally long time, he finally left the table and the victim asked me to leave with her as she felt unsafe leaving on her own. I’ve known her many years and I’ve never seen her so frightened.”

Lee-Phakoe will be sentenced at a later date.

Description

Prolific Sex Offender Admits to Drugging and Raping Woman Multiple Times, Plus Offenses Against Others

A man described as "a prolific, calculated sex offender" has confessed to drugging and raping a woman on four occasions, along with committing sexual crimes against five additional women.

Chao Xu, aged 33, faced initial charges for raping a woman following a social event at his residence in Greenwich, south-east London. Subsequent accusations emerged involving further offenses against other victims.

At Woolwich Crown Court, Xu entered guilty pleas to 24 sexual offenses, encompassing sexual assault, voyeurism, and upskirting. He remains in custody pending his sentencing date of November 14.

Investigators suspect the Chinese national's criminal activities extend far beyond the current charges and are encouraging additional victims to report.

Concealed Camera in Air Freshener

In June, during a networking gathering at his home, Xu offered a female attendee the chance to stay and recuperate after she felt ill. He proceeded to drug and rape her repeatedly, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Authorities discovered hidden cameras placed by Xu in various spots, such as within an air freshener and in restrooms.

His mobile device contained hundreds of unauthorized intimate photos and videos of unidentified women.

Police now estimate that Xu's offenses span several years and include many more incidents.

Leading the probe, Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Sanderson stated: "Xu is a calculated prolific sex offender, who has preyed on unsuspecting women using cowardly methods - administering drugs to rape, sexually assault and take intimate images without consent.

"Our investigation is ongoing and we continue to examine a large amount of evidence, which will help identify any further potential victims."

Xu, a UK resident since 2013, admitted guilt to four rape charges, eight counts of assault by penetration, four sexual assaults, four voyeurism offenses, two instances of administering substances with intent, and two upskirting violations—formally known as operating equipment under another's clothing without consent—occurring from February 2022 to June 2025.

The court was informed that the upskirting incidents involved cameras at a workplace and London Bridge Underground Station.

He denied one sexual assault charge and one assault by penetration count, but prosecutors indicated they would not proceed to trial, opting instead to leave them on file.

'Serious Danger to Women'

Recorder Simon Stirling, the presiding judge, addressed Xu: "You have pleaded guilty to a large number of offences for which the inevitable outcome is a lengthy custodial sentence."

Crown Prosecution Service's Suzanne Crane remarked that Xu had "deliberately drugged women to render them unconscious and vulnerable, enabling him to rape and sexually assault them without their knowledge."

She further noted: "Xu is a serious danger to women, and without the bravery of victims who came forward, his offending may well have continued undetected."

Description

A man who raped a 13-year-old girl in Dulwich has been convicted of breaching a court order.

Gholahun Shittu was jailed for eight years in 2015 when aged 24 he befriended a 13-year-old girl using Facebook then raped her.

Shittu, now 34, of Wards Wharf Approach in Silvertown, has now been convicted of further offences.

He was found guilty of three charges of breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by failing to let police inspect three phones in his possession in May last year.

The SHPO was made to protect the public following his 2015 conviction.

Shittu appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on August 13.

He was sentenced to six months in custody suspended for one year.

Description

A predatory sex offender who groomed a child from west Kent and then raped her in his flat has been jailed. 

Ako Hawla fled the country to try and avoid justice but was tracked down in France and returned under a European Arrest Warrant.

Officers were initially alerted to concerns for the victim’s welfare, after she was reported missing on 13 June 2019.

Groomed

Hawla had previously groomed the child through various social media platforms and apps and had persuaded her to meet him.

He was 19 at the time but when the victim told him she was only 13 he claimed he was also a juvenile.

They travelled to his address in Frobisher Road, Erith, where the victim was repeatedly abused.

Patrols searching for the missing child tracked her to the flat and when Hawla realised police were at his home he instructed the victim to pretend she simply sleeping on his couch. He told her to tell officers she was 17.

Hawla was arrested and later bailed, as investigating officers sought to build a successful case.

He then fled the country but in April 2024 was tracked down in France and extradited to the UK.

Extradited and jailed

A trial then took place at Woolwich Crown Court where Hawla, now aged 26, was found guilty of rape, as well as a further five sexual offences. He was also convicted of child abduction.

On 14 August 2025, Hawla was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment.

He will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can be considered for parole. He was also made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. 

Detective Constable Kim Bashford said:

‘Hawla exploited a child’s trust in the most sinister and deplorable way. He struck up conversations with her through social media apps and after they met for the first time then subjected her to a truly terrifying ordeal.

'Having successfully pursued Hawla into Europe; it is really pleasing that we have now been able to finally ensure he has faced justice. I really do hope that the victim starts to feel safer and can rebuild her life now that he is prison.

Online safety

DC Bashford added:

‘I would also like to encourage parents to remind children of the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.

'Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.’

Description

A mental health counsellor from Eltham who had a six-month online relationship with a 14-year-old girl has avoided prison.

Steve Hughes, 55, sent sexualised and grooming messages to the young girl after he sought her out on social media in November 2022.

In May 2023 he was confronted by paedophile hunters as he discovered he had spent the last six months messaging a decoy account.

On inspection of his phone it was then revealed that Hughes had also been messaging three other “girls” - all aged either 13 or 14 – who were also decoy accounts run by other paedophile hunter organisations.

Hughes, of Eltham Hill, claimed at trial that he knew all along that these were “scam” accounts and that he did not genuinely believe he was talking to teenage girls.

But a jury unanimously rejected his defence and convicted him of four charges of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

On Monday, August 18, Hughes was sentenced to 18 months in custody suspended for 18 months.

He will be the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order which will allow police to monitor his online activity.

Prior to his arrest Hughes was an experienced adult counsellor and psychotherapist working in Welling and later Eltham.

His website stated he successfully worked on issues relating to “sex and shame”.

Judge David Miller said:

“Between October 2022 and May 2023 you sought out teenage girls to form digital relationships with.

“You found four girls, you engaged in chat with them on various social media sites and you soon turned the conversations sexual – there is an element of grooming , particularly regarding on girl who you were in communication with for six months.”

He told Hughes that if these were actual children, rather than decoys, he would have received a considerably higher sentence and one which would not have been suspended.

“Having read the pre-sentence report and the character references, I’m suspending the sentence because I consider there’s a realistic chance of rehabilitation. I think you will comply with the order and won’t reoffend,” Judge Miller said.

Hughes was ordered to pay £4,380 to cover the four-day Woolwich Crown Court trial he elected to have.

Description

A man identified as one of London’s most dangerous offenders has been jailed for rape and sexual assault following an investigation led by Met Police detectives.

The Met’s innovative ‘V100’ programme is transforming the way officers can identify and target the most dangerous perpetrators of violence against women and girls. The V100 programme uses data to identify and target the men who pose the highest risk to women. This allows us to focus the efforts of local and specialist Met officers across London on reducing the threat posed by the most dangerous perpetrators and protecting potential victims from the devastating damage they cause.

Clinton Easy, 32 (10.09.92), of Lutwyche Road, SE6, was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 12 years on Thursday, 14 August at Woolwich Crown court.

A restraining order will also be imposed by the judge.

The sentencing followed two trials. During the first trial beginning in July 2024, Easy pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm and two charges of actual bodily harm and was found guilty of controlling and coercive behaviour.

The second trial began in May 2025 where Easy was found guilty of two charges of rape.

Detective Inspector Jemma Gregory said:

“Easy’s offending is shocking and sets him as a dangerous individual who, thanks to the reports from the victim and strong storyboard of evidence collated by the team, is now safely behind bars.

“I would like to commend the victim on her strength throughout the investigation and thank her for her support throughout the court processes. It is clear that her early reporting has strengthened this case to secure a strong sentence.

“The Met is dedicated to tackling violence against women and girls by hunting down predatory men, with innovative methods being used in practice to secure convictions and strong sentences against those who pose the highest risk.”

Officers were alerted to Easy’s offending following a report made by the victim on 11 January 2024.

Earlier in the evening, Easy had subjected the victim to multiple rapes within her own home, after persuading her to allow him to enter her property.

Threatening her with extreme violence, Easy had bound the victim’s hands while he assaulted her.

A report was made by the victim within hours of the offending taking place, and so officers worked resourcefully to obtain photos of injuries and collect evidence from the scene of the offending, including a cup of Easy’s urine which had been thrown.

Through speaking to the victim, detectives uncovered a pattern of offending which had begun with controlling behaviours against the victim, where Easy would take her phone and post on her social media accounts.

It became apparent that Easy’s offending had been ongoing for nearly a year with medical records acquired by detectives showing that his attacks had led to the victim to require hospital treatment on multiple occasions in 2023.

Officers established a timeline with a storyboard of evidence gathered post the events

Easy was arrested following a manhunt on 1 February 2024.

The Met is using a number of tactics including our V100 to improve the response to violence against women and girls (VAWG). We have also rolled out training to 20,000 frontline officers and added 565 specially trained officers and staff into teams tackling VAWG which has doubled charges for rape since 2022 and secured 389 Stalking Protection Orders.

Description

A burglar who raped a woman after entering her home in the night is back behind bars after he was caught breaking into another home following his prison release.

Milton White attacked a 60-year-old woman after he broke into her Haringey home in May 1990. 

White, of Asylum Road in Peckham, was not brought to justice until 22 years later when a DNA break through led to his conviction in 2012. 

He was jailed for 12 years for rape but by this time his victim had been dead for six years. 

White has now been put back behind bars after breaching a sexual offence prevention order. 

According to court documents, on June 12 this year he was caught entering another person’s Southwark home without their consent. 

Milton, now aged 59, appeared at Croydon Crown Court on August 6. 

He was sentenced to eight months in prison for the “deliberate breach” of the order. 

Description

A paedophile who sent sexual messages to someone he believed to be a 12-year-old girl is on the run after his sons helped him escape the country. 

Gualberto Santos, a 58-year-old previously living in Poplar, east London, was on trial for child sex offences in late 2023 after he was caught messaging a decoy account run by paedophile hunters. 

Sensing the trial was not going his way, Santos left the country on a coach to France from Victoria Coach Station – assisted by his sons who bought the ticket and packed his bag for him. 

The sex offender was found guilty in his absence but remains on the run, most likely in Portugal, with a four-year prison sentence hanging over his head if police catch up with him. 

On Friday, August 8, his sons – Anthony Sousa, 32, of Sutton Street, Shadwell, and Jorge Sandoval, 29, of New Cross Road in south east London – walked free with suspended prison sentences for perverting the course of justice. Both had been held in custody between conviction and sentence.

'Out of love for their father'

In November 2022, Santos was arrested after he sent sexual messages to somebody he believed to be a 12-year-old girl and attempted to meet her. 

He denied the offences and went on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court in October 2023. 

Realising that a guilty verdict was imminent, Santos decided to flee the country on October 31 and enlisted the help of his sons. 

Sousa assisted by buying the ticket to France, then both brothers met their dad at Victoria to see him off – Sandoval bringing a rucksack for him. 

Prosecutor Jonathan Wright said Santos has still not returned to the country to face justice. 

“There has been no return of Santos Snr and I see no evidence of efforts by the family to request and persuade him to come back to the country, on that there is complete silence,” Mr Wright said. 

Abigail Penny, defending Sousa, said the family have tried to convince Santos to return to the UK. 

She said: “I’ve been told that Mr Sousa’s mother has implored her husband to return to the country, and the very fact that he’s chosen not to even though two of his sons are in custody shows the kind of man he is. 

“These offences were clearly committed out of love for their father.” 

Judge Ross Cohen said he accepted that the brothers had acted out of loyalty to their dad. 

“I accept that you are both remorseful and were let down terribly by your father,” he said. 

The pair were each sentenced to 20 months imprisonment, suspended for two years. 

The brothers will each have to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. 

Description

A man caught in the act by Metropolitan Police officers as he attempted to view horrific and indecent footage of children has been jailed for 12 years in prison – with a lifetime sexual harm prevention order.

Lester Sharpe, 46, (25.11.1977), of no fixed address, was handed the sentence at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 7 August. He pleaded guilty in June to the charge of arranging the commission of child sex offences and was remanded in custody.

Over April and May 2025, Sharpe believed he was speaking to a person who would facilitate an online live stream of an eight-year-old girl being sexually abused. The dangerous predator was in fact speaking with an officer from the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit.

On the morning of Wednesday, 7 May Sharpe requested that the offence took place at a particular time that evening and made a specific request about what the child should wear during the abuse.

This active step to view the footage enabled officers to progress with an arrest. That same evening, police attended his place of work in Kensington while he was taking his break in the basement. They broke into the room through a locked door and found Sharpe as he prepared to access the live stream through his phone.

He was immediately arrested and subsequently charged.

Description

A famous singer and actress who was sexually assaulted during a Soho massage has spoken out about her “devastation”, as her attacker is jailed for four years.

The star - a famous face to millions - was groped by a masseur when she went to the Rupert Jade Thai massage parlour for a treatment in March 2023.

She was asked to strip down to just her underwear and a towel, before masseur Sundaralingam Koodalingam subjected her to a series of sexual assaults on the treatment table.

At Southwark crown court on Wednesday, Koodalingam, 36, was sentenced to four years in prison after being convicted of two charges of sexual assault.

The woman, whose identity is protected as a sexual offences victim, penned a powerful impact statement which was read to the court, setting out the devastating damage to her personal and professional life.

“The widespread anger this despicable human has caused is vast and so very real”, she said, telling the court she has been “fundamentally changed”.

“My job needs me to be playful, open and light”, she said. “Creativity is stifled by insecurity.

“I don’t know if I will ever get back to who I was before that day. This man has taken away my trust, my innocence, and my ability to give everyone - especially a stranger who happens to be male - the benefit of the doubt.”

She told the court she suffers panic attacks and needed her father to accompany her on walks home from work in the aftermath of the attack.

“I look over my shoulder, expecting to be a victim of further abuse for speaking out against him”, she said.

“A grown-ass woman in her 30s... feeling unsafe to walk home alone from work due to one pathetic man is unbelievable.”

She said she needed therapy for anger issues, and detailed an incident when she “felt rage” at a stranger who winked and smiled at her.

“How dare you assume I wanted this attention”, she said. “No one wants this attention, you have no idea what effect you are having on someone.”

The court heard Koodalingam, who comes from the Maldives, moved to the UK in 2021 with his visa sponsored by a company based in the Cotswolds.

The attack happened on March 29, 2023, when the victim visited the massage parlour where he worked for the first time.

“She was naked but for her underwear and a towel”, said Recorder Jeremy Brier, setting out how Koodalingam touched the woman intimately and groped her breasts and nipples.

“This was a frightening and terrifying ordeal”, he said. “It was a violation.”

At trial, Koodalingam claimed the actress had invented the sexual assaults, and even at sentence he continued to protest his innocence.

The victim said she is “angry this man has taken anything from me at all, triumphant to say it is over, devastated it happen to me”, and expressed satisfaction at “taking one more disgusting predator off the street”.

“Tens if not hundreds of women are now safe”, she said.

The star also detailed her struggles with how she initially responded to the attacks.

“I have struggled with knowing who I was”, she said. “I always saw myself as someone who would stand up to fight.

“I had conversations like that so many times. I was so sure I would stand up, call out bad behaviour, and get the hell out, but I didn’t, and I really struggled with that.”

She said she initially joked with a friend about the incident, and now recognises her response was “human, vulnerable, and honest” and she “did absolutely nothing wrong that day”.

And she added her horror at one person’s reaction to news of the attacks, saying to her: “That’s not too bad, at least he didn’t rape you”.

“Imagine the sentence ‘at least he didn’t rape you’ being a silver lining.”

Koodalingam, of Ruskin Avenue in Manor Park, east London, was convicted by a jury of sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.

His barrister, Ben Hargreaves, told the judge that Koodalingam faces an “especially hard” time in Britain’s “decrepit” prison system, as English is not his first language and he has never been behind bars before.

He has been on bail during legal proceedings, and was told he must serve two thirds of the four-year jail term.

Description

Hamed Kianipanah, 36, of Brook Road, Brent, London, has today (Monday 28 July 2025) been sent to prison for nine years, plus an additional three years on licence, for raping a woman at an address in Richmondshire in 2022.

Kianipanah was found guilty on 5 June 2025 of having unconsented sex with the victim.

The jury heard evidence that Kianipanah had groomed and controlled the woman around the time of the rape.

However, she found the courage to make a report to North Yorkshire Police in 2023.

This sparked a two-year investigation led by Temporary Detective Sergeant Quita Readman from Hambleton and Richmondshire CID.

T/DS Readman said:

“When she felt ready to do so, she bravely approached the police and disclosed what had happened to her. She also got access to a range of professional support and care that is readily available to all survivors of rape and sexual assaults.

“With her support, we carried out a thorough investigation capturing the whole story of the grooming stages Kianipanah engaged in before and after the rape, maintaining a level of control over the survivor.

“The jury heard the compelling evidence, and they returned a unanimous guilty verdict against the defendant.”

T/DS Readman added:

“I have nothing but praise for the bravery of the survivor in this case. It also shows it is never too late to make a report to the police and seek support from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and organisations such as IDAS.

“We are here to help you - please don’t hesitate to get in touch.”

As well as the custodial sentence, Kianipanah has also been placed on the Register of Sex Offenders and been made subject of a restraining order.