Hamza Badat, 43, jailed for eight years after raping woman more than five years ago

A 43-year-old man has been jailed for raping a woman more than five years ago.

Hamza Badat, formerly of Levington Road, in Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today where he was sentenced to eight years in jail.

Last month, he was found guilty of rape following a five-day trial.

The incident was on October 25, 2018.

The victim, who was 22 years old at the time, attended a mutual friend’s house that evening, with friends, where she met Badat.

He later dragged the victim into a bedroom and raped her.

The victim and Badat were not known to each other before the day of the attack.

Badat was also ordered to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

DC Damian Richer, investigating officer, said: “This assault on a vulnerable woman was a despicable act and one that the victim has had to live with.

“In her impact statement she said she will ‘carry this with me, like a nail in the back, with no choice.’

“The victim has shown incredible courage and strength and has had to wait an incredible amount of time due to a number of adjournments that were out of her control.

“I hope the sentence handed down to Badat will give her some comfort and would like to thank the independent sexual violence advisor (ISVA) who supported the victim throughout this process.

“I am also grateful to the witnesses who gave evidence that led to convicting this man, who will now have a number of years behind bars to reflect on his actions and the destruction he has caused.

“I hope this outcome underlines our commitment to prosecuting sex offenders and that it encourages anyone else who is a victim of this type of offence to come forward.”