EDINBURGH RAPIST BILAAL AFZAL SENTENCED AFTER SENDING APOLOGY MESSAGE TO TEEN VICTIM
In September 2019, a man named Bilaal Afzal was sentenced to five and a half years in prison following a conviction for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in Edinburgh.The court heard that Afzal, who was 25 at the time, had committed the assault less than a month after being released on bail from Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
The incident took place on April 10, 2018, and the court was told that Afzal first attempted to sexually assault the girl in Holyrood Park.
After this initial attempt, he drove her to Lochend Apartments, where he had arranged to have an apartment, and committed the rape there.
Despite later sending her a message to apologise for forcing himself on her, Afzal maintained during the trial and to a social worker preparing a background report that the girl had consented to the sexual activity.
Judge Lord Uist addressed the court, stating, "You were convicted by the jury of the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Edinburgh on April 10 in 2018 while you were the subject of a bail order." He further detailed the sequence of events, emphasizing that Afzal's actions began with an attempted assault in Holyrood Park before progressing to the rape at Lochend Apartments.
The judge also highlighted that Afzal had a lengthy criminal record, although it did not include previous sexual offenses.
He remarked, "It is clear you have been going off the rails over the last few years," indicating concern over Afzal's recent behavior.
During the trial, the court was informed that Afzal had denied assaulting and raping the girl, claiming that she was "enjoying" the sex.
However, the victim was firm in her testimony, asserting that she never consented to the sexual acts.
She recounted that she had been in contact with Afzal through Snapchat, a social media platform, and that he had taken her for a drive before arriving at the Lochend Apartments, where the assault occurred.
She described feeling "sick" after the incident.
The court also heard that Afzal had sent her a message two days later, expressing remorse and apologising for forcing himself on her.
He explained that he thought that was what she wanted to hear from him, indicating a possible misunderstanding or attempt to mitigate his actions.
Throughout the trial, Afzal claimed that he was attracted to the girl and cared for her, asserting that his feelings influenced his actions.
The prosecution relied heavily on Afzal's own messages, which served as corroboration of the victim's account, and the jury ultimately found him guilty of the charges.
Lord Uist informed the court that Afzal would be placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely following his conviction, reflecting the seriousness of his crime.
The case was notable for being a first for Lord Uist, as only two witnesses— the victim and the accused— were called to give evidence, with the Crown relying on the messages exchanged between Afzal and the girl to establish the facts.
In conclusion, the court sentenced Bilaal Afzal to five and a half years in prison, emphasizing the gravity of his actions and the breach of trust involved in the assault.
The case underscores the importance of accountability and the legal system's response to sexual offenses in Edinburgh.
