Asad Mirza 37

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A judge commended a victim for her bravery and conduct as he sent her rapist to prison for five years.

Judge Simon Medland said “no sentence he imposed could make up for what happened” to the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when she was raped by Asad Mirza while she slept on his sofa.

Mirza, 36, of Limbrick, Blackburn, was found guilty of rape at a trial in January and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Wednesday (March 8).

The sentencing hearing heard only brief details of the incident, which took place in November 2019, but Judge Medland said Mirza had a “flawed attitude towards appropriate sexual relationships” and thought he was “entitled to have sex” with his victim.

It was heard the defendant and his victim had spent some time together before the offence took place and were happy in each other’s company.

However, on the night in question she had been asleep when Mirza decided to have sex with her without her consent.

Judge Medland said: “You were not entitled to do what you did as if it was your right.

“She gave comprehensive and clear evidence to the jury and the impact on her has been substantial.

“You were reckless as to whether she consented or not. She was asleep and the abuse of trust is palpable in this case.”

Mirza was jailed for five years, handed a restraining order until further order in respect of his victim, and will need to sign the sex offender’s register for life.

Addressing the victim, who had bravely attended court for the sentence hearing, Judge Medland added: “No sentence I impose can make up for what happened to you. I commend you on your conduct.

“I can only hope that this will at last have brought some closure to you and you are able to put this away in the back of your mind and get on with the rest of your life.”