GOVAR ABDUL-RAHMAN AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENSES IN MERSEYLAND
In a disturbing series of events that unfolded in Merseyside, four women fell victim to a serial sex offender over the span of just one month.The perpetrator, identified as Govar Abdul-Rahman, aged 28, carried out multiple assaults targeting women in various locations within St Helens, leaving a trail of trauma and fear among the victims.
The first incident occurred on June 26, 2022, at the Queens Park leisure centre.
Abdul-Rahman followed a woman as she moved around the swimming pool area, eventually trailing her into the sauna and steam room.
It was there that he sexually assaulted her.
Just a few days later, on June 29, he returned to the same leisure centre and again targeted a woman, following her into the sauna and committing a sexual assault.
The pattern of his predatory behavior continued into the early hours of July 17, 2022.
At approximately 3 a.m., Abdul-Rahman followed an 18-year-old woman into an alleyway.
There, he attempted to kiss her, but when she resisted, he pushed her against a wall and groped her twice, causing her significant distress.
The final known attack took place on July 24, 2022.
Abdul-Rahman managed to scale a fence and infiltrate the supported living accommodation of another 18-year-old woman.
His intention was to sexually assault her.
However, when the woman awoke and saw him standing over her bed, he panicked and fled through the window he had entered.
His actions did not end there; he returned to the same flat a week later, in the early hours of July 31, and once again attempted to gain entry through the window.
This time, the woman, suspicious of the noise, investigated and caught him in the act.
Govar Abdul-Rahman, who was formerly residing on Silkstone Street in St Helens, appeared before Liverpool Crown Court on November 16 to face sentencing.
He was charged with four counts of sexual assault, trespass with intent to commit sexual assault, attempted trespass with intent to commit sexual assault, and voyeurism.
During the court proceedings, victim statements from all four women were read aloud, revealing the profound impact of Abdul-Rahman’s actions.
The first victim, who was at the leisure centre with her daughter when assaulted, expressed how the incident has severely affected her mental health.
She stated, "I do think that since this incident my mental health has deteriorated and I worry a lot more about being around men.
Because of my mental health, I used the gym as a lifeline, but I get nervous thinking about going now.
Since this incident I have not been able to go swimming at the leisure centre.
I used to go to various classes but since this incident I do not feel comfortable enough to go back to the pool and I don't feel confident in going." The second victim, an avid sports enthusiast since childhood, shared her struggles, saying, "Sport has been a big part of my life as I started when I was just four years old.
It made me be the person I was.
I was confident, outgoing, and never afraid of doing anything.
After this incident happened, I didn't go to any gym for 11 months, and I have still not been to that swimming pool.
It has affected my everyday life.
I feel I don't trust people like I used to.
I'm a much quieter person who chooses to stay in and be safe rather than go out and socialise with friends." The third victim, who was out with friends when attacked, described her loss of trust and confidence.
She said, "I don't feel that I can trust many people like I used to.
I used to feel confident but now I have developed some insecurity and I'm finding it difficult to overcome what has happened.
I have cried hysterically in front of friends and family when out in busy places.
These emotions are now to me and I don't know how to control them.
I have never experienced this before.
I used to love being out with friends." The fourth victim, who was sleeping when Abdul-Rahman entered her flat, explained how the incident exacerbated her mental health issues.
She stated, "I moved into my flat to try and make it a safe place to be.
This incident has brought back trauma I have spent years trying to heal from.
I no longer have the flat as a safe space, which has knocked me back even further.
Since the incident I felt panicked and upset when I have to go back to the flat.
When I had to return after the incident I burst into tears.
I no longer feel the flat is safe for me.
I found it difficult to get to sleep and I had to stay at a family member's address just to get away from the flat.
If I hear any noises in the night it wakes me up and puts me on edge.
I no longer like going outside as I no longer have any trust in people." In sentencing, Abdul-Rahman was given a total of 20 months in prison for the four sexual assaults.
Additionally, he received a sentence of seven years, with an extended five-year license period, for the charges of trespass with intent to commit sexual assault, attempted trespass with intent to commit sexual assault, and voyeurism.
These sentences are to be served consecutively, reflecting the severity and multiplicity of his crimes.
