SUNDERLAND MEN AZRAZ ABDULLA AND SAEED RASOOLLI SENTENCED FOR RAPE ON ROKER AVENUE
In a case that has shocked the community of Sunderland, two men, Araz Abdulla and Saheed Rasoolli, were convicted of heinous sexual assault crimes that took place in a residential property on Roker Avenue.The incident occurred in May 2018, within the confines of a flat that was part of a multi-occupancy residence primarily used by asylum seekers.
The victim, whose identity remains protected, was lured to the flat from a nearby bus stop, where she was then subjected to a brutal assault.
Following a detailed two-week trial at Newcastle Crown Court, the jury found both Abdulla and Rasoolli guilty of raping the woman.
The court heard that during the assault, each man took turns to sexually violate her in the bedroom of the Sunderland flat.
The victim was subjected to such extreme distress that she struggled to breathe and sustained physical injuries, including nail marks on her neck, throat, and arms.
The court was told that she managed to escape the ordeal by fleeing to a nearby shop, where she promptly contacted the police to report the attack.
In December of the same year, Judge Stephen Earl sentenced Rasoolli to 12 years in prison and Abdulla to 10 years.
The sentences reflected the severity of their crimes and the impact on the victim.
Both men, aged 23 and 30 respectively, are residents of Sunderland.
Following their convictions, they were officially classified as “dangerous offenders” by Chief Superintendent Sarah Pitt of Northumbria Police, highlighting the serious nature of their actions and the threat they pose to the community.
Subsequently, Abdulla and Rasoolli attempted to challenge their convictions by appealing to the Court of Appeal Criminal Division in London.
Their legal representatives argued for the overturning of the verdicts, claiming procedural errors or other grounds for appeal.
However, during the hearing held on Friday, November 1, Lord Justice Peregrine Simon dismissed their applications, refusing to overturn the jury’s verdicts.
The court’s decision reaffirmed the conviction and the sentences handed down, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes committed on Roker Avenue and the importance of justice for the victim.
