A man has been jailed for life for raping two women – one of them from Brighton – and three sexual assaults.
Delivery driver Khtushar Arifin, 33, was jailed at Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday (3 May) by Judge Shani Barnes, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove.
When he raped the woman from Brighton, Arifin was already on bail. Six months earlier he had been accused of violently raping another woman at his flat in Crescent Road, Worthing, and sexually attacking her twice.
Sussex Police said: “In July 2015, while still on court bail, Arifin met a 23-year-old woman who lived in Brighton after months of contact online.
“Again he took the victim to his flat. Once inside he made sexual advances, was refused and raped the victim in the bedroom.
“The victim had to receive hospital treatment as a result of this attack but upon her discharge from hospital release she informed the police and Arifin was again arrested.”
He was charged with rape as well as an earlier offence that had come to light since his original arrest.
The force said: “In May 2013 Arifin got to know a 27-year-old woman with learning difficulties at his place of work and she trusted him.
“On one occasion when they were alone he sexually assaulted her by touching her over clothing.
“The victim, extremely upset and very vulnerable reported it to her supervisors immediately but without any evidence the police were not notified.
“It was only when officers were investigating him for a later offence that this came to light.
“In January 2015 a 22-year-old woman who had just finished work in Goring was invited by Arifin, who she knew vaguely, for a drink but instead he took her to his address.
“He made sexual advances to her which she rejected and he then dragged her to the bedroom where she was violently raped and subject two to other sexual assaults.
“She later managed to get away and got home. Arifin was arrested and after interview, in which he denied any offences, he was charged and released on court bail with conditions, while inquiries continued.”
Arifin denied the charges, forcing the three women to give evidence against him by video link during a nine-day trial at Lewes Crown Court.
He maintained his innocence in the face of overwhelming forensic evidence, Sussex Police said, and tried to embarrass and blame the victims.
A jury unanimously found him guilty of five offences – two charges of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Judge Barnes sentenced Arifin to life imprisonment, to serve at least 10 years before being eligible to apply for parole. He will also be a registered sex offender for life.
She said that Arifin presented a risk so great to women and was a man so dangerous that he should never be left unmonitored in this country.
The sentencing followed an investigation by Detective Constable Claire Youdell and Detective Constable Jennie Hutchinson of the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit.
Detective Constable Youdell said: “Justice has been done. This man is dangerous and preys on vulnerable women after gaining their trust.
“We hope that this sentence will prevent any other women ever suffering at his hands again and will also most importantly encourage any other women who have been such victims to come forward to the police.”
Judge Barnes has no idea what she is doing when sentencing people. So this guy only gets a minimum of 10 years when she has sentenced teenagers for longer for lesser crimes. Silly woman.