ZEYNEL ULCAY SENTENCED IN HACKNEY FOR RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULTS

A man identified as Zeynel Ulcay has been handed a significant prison sentence after a series of disturbing sexual offenses committed while he was working at a cafe in Hackney. The 47-year-old resident of Morning Lane was convicted on multiple counts, including one of rape, one of attempted rape, and two counts of sexual assault. The case has raised concerns about potential additional victims, with police actively encouraging anyone with relevant information to come forward to aid ongoing investigations.

One of the victims, a 25-year-old woman, was subjected to a traumatic assault in December 2014. According to court records, Ulcay initially touched her inappropriately and made an attempt to kiss her. The situation escalated when he directed her to a secluded back room within the cafe, where he physically attacked her, pushed her onto a bed, and attempted to rape her despite the presence of other customers. The woman’s screams interrupted the assault, causing Ulcay to stop his attack. The following night, he took further steps to prevent any interruption by locking the cafe door, then raped her again in the same back room. The victim reported the incident to police after a six-month delay, which eventually led to Ulcay’s arrest.

Further investigations revealed that Ulcay had also sexually assaulted a second woman in the same cafe. This second victim was touched over her clothing, and Ulcay paid her nearly £600 to keep quiet about the incident. CCTV footage captured the assault, providing crucial evidence that contributed to his arrest. At the time of his detention, Ulcay was on bail and awaiting trial for these offenses when the rape allegations surfaced.

On January 11, at Wood Green Crown Court, Ulcay was found guilty of all charges. During the proceedings, one of the victims provided a heartfelt statement describing the profound and lasting impact of his actions on her life. The court sentenced Ulcay to 13 years in prison, with a two-thirds period before he could be considered for parole. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, underscoring the severity of his crimes.

Detective Constable Sophie Matthews, from Scotland Yard’s sexual offences unit, commented on the case, emphasizing that Ulcay appeared to have targeted vulnerable women for his own sexual gratification. She expressed gratitude to the victims for their bravery in coming forward and urged anyone who might recognize Ulcay or possess further information to contact authorities. Detective Matthews also highlighted the support services available to victims of sexual assault, encouraging continued cooperation with law enforcement to prevent further harm.