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A man seeking asylum in the UK has been found guilty of raping a “drunk and visibly vulnerable” woman. nottinghamshire garden.
Sheraz Malik, 28, insists the sexual contact with the then 18-year-old victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was consensual. The attack took place at Sutton Lawn Park, Sutton-in-Ashfield, on June 29 last year.
follow trial exist birmingham crown courtthe jury of five men and seven women deliberated for about three hours before returning a unanimous guilty verdict. Malik was convicted on two counts rapespecifically oral and vaginal rape, but acquitted of anal sex charges.
It can now be revealed that Malik, of Bath Street, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was living at the time of the crime. asylum seeker. Born in Pakistan, he lived in Italy, Germany and France before arriving in the UK.
Report limit has been reached nottingham crown court Last September, references to the defendants’ immigration status were banned until the trial was over.
Malik, wearing a white T-shirt and a black Nike jacket in the dock, observed the proceedings with the help of a Pashto translator and showed no emotion after the verdict was announced.
The trial heard the woman shared two bottles of vodka with a male friend before they met Malik and a group of other men, whom she had not seen before, sitting near a park and joined them.
The trial heard her friend left her in the crowd and asked them to “look after her” while he went to meet someone, but the woman said she was raped twice by two different men when she was alone with them.
Nicholas Corsellis KC, prosecuting counsel, told the jury that the complainant, who was “alone, drunk and clearly a vulnerable person”, was allegedly raped by the first man while she was urinating in an “isolated” part of the park, before she returned to the crowd and was taken to another “isolated” location and raped by Malik.
Malik, who testified in English during the trial, said he had been playing cricket and smoking marijuana with a group of men in a park before the attack.
He denied he had hit her at any time and claimed the woman told him “I really like you” and “I really like you”.
During his testimony, Malik questioned why he was asked how he traveled from Pakistan to Europe when he was around 17 to 18 years old.
Legal arguments took place without jurors present after Malik objected.
Prosecutors argued the question would provide evidence of Malik’s “extensive life experience,” but the judge ruled the question was irrelevant.
In later evidence, Malik was asked why a coach ticket was booked for him out of the Nottinghamshire area under a different name after the attack.
He said a friend had booked the tickets for him, adding that the Home Office was “paying me £50 a week”.
The woman, who gave evidence via video link during the trial with the screen blocked from view of the defendant, denied any part of the encounter was consensual.
Asked by Malik’s barrister Simon Eckersley why she walked with the defendant after she was allegedly raped by the first man, she said: “There was no one else around me. I was scared, I was afraid of rejection.”
She denied she “flirted” with Malik and said she gave him her Snapchat details after the attack because she felt uncomfortable.
“After the sex, you (and Malik) walked back together. You said you enjoyed the sex and that you really liked him?” Mr Eckersley said.
The complainant responded: “I never said that. He is a liar.”
Judge Simon Ash KC thanked the jury for their work on the case and told them their job had been done.
He adjourned the case to February 6 for a hearing to set a sentencing date and ordered a pre-sentence report.
The judge told Malik in the dock: “You have been found guilty of very serious charges and I need to sentence you in due course.”
“The case will be listed on February 6 to set a sentencing date.
“I have ordered a pre-sentence report to assess the level of danger. You must engage with the probation service when they attempt to engage with you.
“You will be remanded in custody at this stage. Please go with the officer.”