Serial rapist who targeted vulnerable gay women in Manchester jailed for 20 years
Ashfaq Khan maintains his innocence
A rapist who targeted “lone, vulnerable” gay women in Manchester’s Gay Village has been sentenced to 20 years imprisonment.
Ashfaq Khan, 60, actively sought out lone women in the city’s LGBT area under the pretence of being a taxi driver, before offering them a lift and attacking them.
Khan was found guilty of three rapes, two of which occurred in summer 2017, while a third dates back to over a decade ago, according to the Manchester Evening News.
One of the victims was driven to a secluded spot, before Khan put his hand on her knee and complimented her. She told him that she was gay, before he throttled her and raped her. After the woman got out of the car to be sick, Khan raped her again whilst she was vomiting.
Khan drove the woman home, after which time she was heard screaming and crying, the court heard.
Manchester’s Gay Village (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty)
A second victim fell asleep in the back of Khan’s car, awaking in Khan’s home. With no idea where she was, she texted her partner, “I don’t know where I am, baby.” A further text simply read, “Help me, please.”
Khan forced shots of alcohol down her throat before raping her. The woman managed to take a picture of Khan, which she sent to her sister, an image that later helped convict him. The court heard that she was in his home for over two hours.
Both women read out victim statements in court, which revealed that they now suffer from panic attacks, flashbacks and nightmares.
Khan maintains his innocence over the crimes. His barrister, David Birrell, said: “He continues to deny these offences. My submissions can only go to the length of the sentence, and to the nature of the sentence.“
Sentencing Khan, Judge Timothy Smith described him as a “dangerous” offender and a “predatory and manipulative rapist.”
“You set out with a single-minded determination to find lone, drunk, vulnerable women, with one purpose on your mind: to rape,” Judge Smith said.
Khan showed no emotion upon sentencing. He must serve two thirds of his 20-year sentence in prison. He was also issued with an extended five-year licence period.
