ALAMGIR KABIR SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN LOWESTOFT AND BEDFORD

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Bedford and Lowestoft, Alamgir Kabir was sentenced to five and a half years in prison after admitting to the heinous crime of raping a 14-year-old girl in Lowestoft. The incident took place in August of this year, and the court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault.

According to reports, the young girl, described by police as vulnerable due to her intoxicated state at the time, approached Kabir, who was walking along the High Street. She had asked him for a cigarette, a simple request that tragically led to a brutal attack. Kabir, 35 years old and a resident of Bedford, responded by offering to get her a cigarette and then accompanied her into an alleyway off Wildes Score. It was there that he committed the assault.

Following the attack, the girl managed to escape and ran back onto the High Street, visibly distressed and barefoot. Her cries and reports of being hurt prompted a local resident to contact the police just after midnight on August 6. The authorities responded swiftly, and Kabir was arrested later that morning. He was formally charged on the afternoon of August 7.

During a plea and case management hearing at Ipswich Crown Court on October 8, Kabir pleaded guilty to the charge of rape. His decision to admit guilt meant that the victim was spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court. The court sentenced him to five and a half years in prison, with the time already served on remand deducted from the sentence. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was banned from working with children for life.

Furthermore, the court confirmed that Kabir would be deported to Bangladesh once his sentence concludes, as part of the legal consequences of his conviction. The police and judicial authorities emphasized the importance of encouraging victims to come forward, highlighting that justice can be achieved without the need for a lengthy trial. Detective Constable Kerry Ellis, who led the investigation, stated, “This case demonstrates victims can get justice and that it doesn’t always have to mean a trial. We recognize that coming forward can be difficult, but we would encourage anyone who has been raped to have the courage to report it.”

She added, “Every allegation is treated seriously and will be fully investigated by specially-trained dedicated rape investigators. In this case, Kabir chose to plead guilty as police had substantial evidence against him. The sentence given reflects the serious nature of the offence and the fact that, although he didn’t know she was just 14, he still forced himself on her when she believed she was going with him to get a cigarette.”

The impact of the assault has left lasting scars on the young victim, who now lives with fear and anxiety, often reluctant to leave her home. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of reporting such crimes and the justice that can follow. The sentencing aims to provide some measure of closure and reassurance to the community that offenders like Kabir will be held accountable for their actions.