BRADFORD MAN SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR RAPING VULNERABLE STUDENT
A married man named Kashef Malik, aged 28, committed a serious sexual offence by raping a vulnerable student with learning difficulties in Bradford.The victim, a 20-year-old woman, who had only been in Bradford for a month and was embarking on her first experience of living and studying away from home, was approached by Malik in Bradford’s Centenary Square.
According to the court, Malik initially engaged the woman in conversation while she ate her lunch, then later sat beside her on a bench, touched her bottom, and expressed his desire to have sex with her.
He persuaded her to walk with him into an alleyway where the rape occurred.
Prosecutor Richard Gioserano highlighted the victim's special needs, noting she had significant learning difficulties, exhibited emotional immaturity, naivety, was trusting, and had trouble understanding body language.
The attack was unforced, but Malik had no reason to believe she was consenting.
After the assault, she experienced flashbacks and had to abandon her studies and return home.
Malik pleaded guilty to rape and was sentenced to three years in prison.
The judge, Jonathan Rose, acknowledged Malik's mental illness but stated it was not linked to the crime.
He described Malik’s actions as a violation of her sexual autonomy and noted the psychological damage inflicted was substantial.
Malik was also ordered to register as a sex offender.
Despite his guilty plea, Malik initially denied the charges of sexual assault and attempted rape, with not guilty verdicts initially recorded.
