RAHMAT QALANDER FROM LANCASTER BRANDS VULNERABLE WOMAN AND TEENAGER A DANGEROUS PREDATOR
In a disturbing series of events that have shocked the community, Rahmat Qalander, a man from Lancashire, has been convicted of heinous sexual offenses involving two separate victims.The first incident occurred on February 1 this year, when Qalander targeted a woman in her 20s on the top deck of an X43 bus traveling from Burnley to Manchester.
According to reports, he deliberately sat next to her upstairs before coercing her to move to the rear of the bus, where he committed a sexual assault, raping her in the process.
Following the assault, Qalander disembarked the bus in Manchester.
The victim, who was described as vulnerable, promptly reported the incident to the bus driver, prompting Lancashire Police to initiate an investigation.
The authorities quickly identified Qalander, who was then residing in Nelson, Lancashire.
His arrest was made after thorough inquiries, and he was subsequently charged with rape and sexual assault.
Despite denying the allegations, Qalander was found guilty after a trial held in August.
The court's judgment was clear in its classification of him as a dangerous offender, a designation that reflects the severity of his actions and the threat he poses to the community.
The judge at Preston Crown Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, with the stipulation that he must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for release.
Additionally, upon release, he will be subject to a three-year period of licence supervision.
Adding to the gravity of his criminal record, just five days after the first attack, Qalander committed another sexual assault, this time on a 16-year-old girl on a bus in Nelson.
This second incident further underscored his pattern of predatory behavior and the danger he represents.
Temp Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Denson, of East CID, expressed her appreciation for the victims' bravery in coming forward.
She emphasized the importance of their courage in disclosing what happened and participating in the judicial process.
Denson stated, “Qalander is clearly a dangerous sexual predator who targeted lone and vulnerable young women to carry out his offending.
I would like to commend the victims in this case for their bravery in disclosing what happened to them and for having the courage to go through the court process.
I am pleased that justice has been served for them and for the wider community who will be protected from this dangerous offender for many years.”
