Rapist jailed for eight years

By John Hill on April 3, 2008 9:00 AM |

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A CONVICTED rapist will be deported to Bangladesh after serving an eight-year sentence.

Poplar resident Abdul Aziz was jailed for his attack on a 19-year-old girl in Blair Street on August 3 last year. The 26-year-old was found guilty of raping the woman outside her home soon after she had said goodnight to her boyfriend.

The victim had walked from All Saints DLR with him, and continued to walk along East India Dock Road after leaving him at his home address.

She told officers she was approached at the junction of Chrisp Street by Aziz, who asked her for a lighter. He then tried to engage her in conversation and followed her along East India Dock Road. As she was about to enter a block of housing just after 10pm the man pushed her into some bushes and threatened to kill her before launching the sex attack.

Aziz, of John Smith Mews, was found guilty of rape at Snaresbrook Crown Court on January 31, and was sentenced on Monday (March 31).

The investigation was led by Limehouse’s Project Sapphire team, which specialises in cases of rape and sexual assault.

Squad member Det Con Gary Jopling said: “The victim showed amazing courage while giving evidence at the trial after being accused of being a prostitute, which was completely unfounded.
“The defendant to this date refuses to take any responsibility for his actions, which highlights the risk he poses to the public.
“The investigation conducted by Limehouse Sapphire led to the swift arrest of the defendant after he had made substantial efforts to hide his identity.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of the offence and the degrading ordeal the victim had to endure.”