YORK PREDATOR WHO RAPED SLEEPING WOMEN GETS SENTENCE DOUBLED
A sexual predator who attacked two women while they were sleeping has received a significantly increased prison sentence after an appeal.Dariush Behdarvandi-Aidi, aged 34 and residing on Frances Street in York, was convicted of raping two women, identifiable only as AA and CC, during 2017.
The court learned that in April 2017, he sexually assaulted and raped a woman, AA, who was in a state of unconsciousness due to alcohol and drugs.
Eight months later, in December 2017, he raped CC while she was heavily asleep after taking medication.
Originally, Behdarvandi-Aidi was sentenced to six years and 10 months in prison on November 2020 for two counts of rape and one sexual assault.
However, following a referral by Solicitor General Lucy Frazer, the Court of Appeal increased his sentence to 14 years, emphasizing that the original sentence was unduly lenient and did not properly account for the impact on the victims.
The judges highlighted that both women were vulnerable, with AA being 'so severely affected by drink and drugs that she was unconscious and unaware of the sexual offences committed against her' and CC being intoxicated and similarly unaware.
The court noted repeated incidents, with one attack happening while the victims were asleep or unconscious, leading to an increased sentence.
Lord Justice Holroyde stated, 'The repeat incidents and both women being asleep or unconscious required an increased sentence,' and that the original was unduly lenient.
He also remarked that the offender had a total sentence of 14 years, with two-thirds to be served before release on licence.
The court underscored that the offences were particularly serious because of the victims’ vulnerabilities and that the offender's actions caused significant harm.
The court further detailed, 'He was told to stop but nonetheless went on to rape his victim,' and that AA was 'so severely affected by drink and drugs that she was unconscious and unaware,' making her highly vulnerable and defenceless.
