MAN LEFT WOMAN TERRIFIED AFTER HE CHASED HER
A man with a concerning criminal history who pursued a woman home after an evening out has been described by a judge as a significant threat to women’s safety.In court, Mohammed Rahman was told his conduct was 'worrying' after a woman reported that she had to run away from him as he advanced towards her.
She tried to record Rahman with her phone as he was closing in and was frightened at the thought he might know her address.
The woman, based in Darlington, said in her victim impact statement that the incident was like a 'living nightmare' and that she would no longer walk at night alone.
She explained: 'This event really upset me.
I was in tears when the police called to tell me they had arrested someone.' She also expressed concern that Rahman saw her go into her home and might now be aware of her whereabouts.
“I was worried he had seen me go into my house and know where I live.
I should be able to walk home from town without anyone following me and I should be able to feel safe.” she stated.
During proceedings, prosecutor Annelise Haugstad detailed how Rahman tracked the woman for several minutes, repeatedly reducing the distance while pulling up his hoodie to hide his face.
She stated: “She took out her mobile phone and started to record the male who was now at a sprint, crossing the road towards her.
“She shouted ‘why are you following me?’ as he pulled his hood around her face and ran past her.” The court heard that Rahman was caught hours later hiding in a garden, where he attempted to escape police custody.
Rahman, from Selbourne Terrace, Darlington, pleaded guilty to breaching two conditions of his sexual risk order after his arrest on April 14.
It was also noted that Rahman had previously been subject to a sexual risk order following an incident where he committed a sex act publicly in front of residents of a care home.
Defence attorney Mark Styles acknowledged: 'He admitted guilt early on, which is a positive, although the pre-sentence report is concerning.' Judge Jonathan Carroll sentenced him to nearly three years in prison, describing his actions as 'alarming.' “She fled and you sprinted after her,” he said.
“The level of anxiety and fear that must have triggered is hard to imagine.
“In those few moments, in her mind she must have gone through every worst-case scenario as to what could happen.
“The level of fear she must have experienced cannot be understated.” The judge added: “Your pre-sentence report is alarming.
You have entrenched, dysfunctional, unhealthy and frankly dangerous attitudes to women.
“You displayed them openly in your police interview, you continue to display them in your involvement with the probation service.”
