Ifzal Hussain 35

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A “PREDATORY” rapist who attacked a highly vulnerable woman at night in the playground of a Bradford park has been sentenced to 12 years in jail.

A judge ruled that 35-year-old Ifzal Hussain posed a significant danger to the public and also imposed an extended licence period of six years.

Judge Christopher Smith said Hussain, formerly of Lynfield Drive, Bradford, would have to serve at least two-thirds of his 12-year sentence before the Parole Board would consider whether it was safe to release him.

The judge said he had no hesitation in concluding that Hussain posed a significant risk of causing serious harm due to the “predatory” nature of his crime.

Bradford Crown Court heard that Hussain, who had no previous convictions, had first met the woman in May last year when he got into the back of a taxi with her and sexually assaulted her.

Five months later the woman, who must not be identified for legal reasons, was waiting alone at a bus stop at night when Hussain went by in a friend’s car.

“You were emboldened, in my judgement, by how there had been no consequences for your behaviour in May,” the judge told Hussain.

“No sooner was your friend’s car out of sight than you decided to retrace your steps on foot to make for the bus stop.

“I’m satisfied that your journey towards the bus stop was a deliberate series of steps you took to once again see your victim.”

The judge said the woman had followed Hussain into the park where in the dark he raped her against the children’s play equipment.

Hussain was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday of rape and sexual assault charges in relation to the two separate incidents, and Judge Smith said he was entirely satisfied that the complainant had suffered severe psychological harm.

“I’m satisfied that you specifically targeted someone you knew to be particularly vulnerable when you raped her,” he told Hussain.

The judge noted that such an offence would also have had a “profoundly unsettling” effect on the community as a whole when they learned that a serious sexual offence had been committed in a park near their homes.

Hussain will now have to register as a sex offender with the police for the rest of his life.