A court in the United Kingdom has sentenced a Pakistani care worker to 12 years in prison after he was convicted of raping a bedbound woman in Bristol.
The 25-year-old, identified as Fazli Qadeer, was living in the UK on a student visa while working as a carer. He was convicted at Bristol Crown Court following a trial over the assault of the highly vulnerable woman.
The court heard that Qadeer attended the woman’s home while her family members were away. During the care visit, he climbed onto her bed and told her that he loved her and wanted to marry her before sexually assaulting her.
The prosecution told the court that the assault involved kissing the woman, touching her breasts and oral rape.
Qadeer denied the rape allegation and presented a different account of what happened. He claimed that the woman had sexually assaulted him. However, the jury rejected his account and found him guilty of rape.
During sentencing, Qadeer’s lawyer, Jemima Lovatt, asked the court to consider his personal background and previous good character.
The defence told the court that Qadeer had written a letter of apology following his conviction. His lawyer also said he had described growing up in difficult circumstances involving violence and fear.
The court further heard that Qadeer had told members of his family that he had been sexually assaulted as a child.
Several character references were also submitted on his behalf, with supporters describing his charitable activities and efforts to assist other people.
Recorder Sarah Regan, however, sentenced Qadeer to 12 years in prison, noting that although he had previously been of good character, the circumstances surrounding the offence were difficult to understand.
The victim, whose identity has not been disclosed, told the court in a statement that the assault had caused a lasting impact on her life.
She described suffering nightmares, difficulty sleeping and fear whenever she heard noises, saying she became worried that Qadeer could return and kill her.
The woman also said the incident had affected her ability to trust men she had known for many years.
She disclosed that she had been prescribed medication to deal with stress and said the assault had taken away her sense of freedom.
Following his conviction and sentence, Qadeer was also made subject to a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim.
His immigration position in the United Kingdom is also expected to come under review following the conviction, given that he was in the country on a student visa when he committed the offence.
The 12-year sentence brings the criminal proceedings against Qadeer to an end, while the victim is left to deal with the psychological and personal consequences of the assault.