Dangerous man drugged and raped woman after luring her into isolated car park in Lancashire
A dangerous rapist drugged and raped a woman after luring her into an isolated car park in Lancashire.
Akaash Ibra, 30, attacked the woman in Cliviger, near Burnley, in June 2023.
Ibra, formerly of Paddock Lane in Halifax, but now of no fixed address, was arrested and later charged with rape.
He denied the offence but was found unanimously guilty of a single count of rape following a trial at Preston Crown Court earlier this year.
Ibra returned to the same court on Tuesday where he was sentenced to a total of 15 years.
The sentence comprises 10 years’ immediate custody, of which he must serve two-thirds before becoming eligible to appear before the Parole Board, followed by a further five years on extended licence.
The judge imposed the sentence after deeming him a dangerous offender.
In a statement to the court, the victim wrote: “I am constantly questioning what I should have done differently that night, or second guessing why I didn’t pick up on anything strange or sinister.
“I couldn't protect myself that night, and it became something that significantly affected me. I remained silent in the depths of this darkness, suffering at my lowest all alone. Nevertheless, alone I walked into that courtroom confronting all this trauma, to speak my truth in pursuit of having you brought to justice - and I did exactly that.
“Therefore, I owe myself an apology - for blaming myself and internalising the guilt of the trauma I endured. I’m sorry to the girl whose pain I silenced because I felt so disgusted and ashamed to talk about how much the trauma consumed me.”
Det Chied Sam Holland, from Lancashire Police’s East Rape and Serious Sexual Offence Team, said: “Ibra presents a clear risk to women due to his abhorrent views and behaviours towards them. In this case, he isolated his victim, drugged her and then raped her. The following day he messaged her on Snapchat, as if everything was normal.
“The victim in this case has shown incredible strength in firstly coming forward to tell the police what Ibra had done to her, and then by giving evidence at court.
“I hope this conviction and sentence encourages other women to come forward if they have been the victim of a sexual crime, knowing they will be listened to, believed and that we will do everything in our power to put their abuser before the courts.”
Anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence can call 101 or report it online at: https://www.lancashire.police.uk/ro/report/lb/report-rape-and-sexual-assault/