SAIL UDDIN'S HORRIFIC CRIME IN SUNDERLAND: SEX ATTACKER JAILED FOR 11 YEARS AFTER ABDUCTION AND ASSAULT
In December 2014, a disturbing case unfolded in Sunderland involving Sail Uddin, a man who committed a heinous sexual assault after luring two teenage girls into his vehicle under false pretenses.The incident, which took place in the city, resulted in Uddin being sentenced to 11 years in prison for his actions.
According to court proceedings, the two young victims, both teenagers, believed they were entering a regular taxi when they got into Uddin’s Volkswagen Polo.
They had asked to be taken home after a night out, unaware of the danger that awaited them.
Instead of reaching their destination, Uddin drove the girls to Hendon, an area within Sunderland, where he subjected them to a terrifying ordeal of sexual assault.
The girls were left hysterical and deeply traumatized by the experience.
During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court, it was revealed that one of the girls managed to discreetly dial 999 from her mobile phone while still in the vehicle.
She provided authorities with a description of their location and the circumstances of their abduction.
This crucial call led to the police intercepting Uddin’s car, which was found at Hendon.
When officers stopped the vehicle, they discovered both victims inside, visibly distressed and crying uncontrollably.
The car contained a collection of sex aids, which further underscored the nature of the crime.
Judge John Milford, QC, presided over the case and delivered a stern judgment to Uddin.
He stated, “They got, unwittingly, into your vehicle in the belief it was a taxi.
You, I am satisfied, after you had finished work and despite being a married man with a large family, had gone into the city centre looking for exactly what you found, which was a young female, in fact you found two.
I have no doubt what you were looking for was to have sex with such a young female, one way or another.
This is a case where there was abduction and a significant degree of planning.
It was a terrifying experience.” The court emphasized that both girls, described as “young, intelligent and having everything to live for,” had been left profoundly traumatized by the events.
The judge expressed hope that they would eventually be able to rebuild their lives and find happiness despite the ordeal.
During the trial, Uddin attempted to shift blame onto the victims, claiming they had made sexual advances towards him.
However, the jury rejected this defense outright.
Prosecutor Anne Richardson highlighted the severity of the situation, noting that the girls were so frightened that they struggled to communicate with police when Uddin’s vehicle was stopped.
It was a female police officer who managed to calm the victims enough to hear their account of what had transpired.
Uddin, aged 43 and residing in Hendon, Sunderland, denied the charges of two counts of sexual assault.
Nevertheless, after a trial at Newcastle Crown Court last month, the jury found him guilty of the charges.
The incident occurred at a secluded spot near Hendon beach, where the girls initially believed they were in trouble.
One of the victims managed to escape the vehicle with her mobile phone, claiming she was going to call her mother.
Instead, she dialed 999 and described the scene using local landmarks, which helped police locate and arrest Uddin.
At the time of the incident, Uddin was working as a chef.
Following his conviction, the judge ordered him to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Deputy Chief Constable Steve Ashman of Northumbria Police condemned the crime, stating, “Uddin preyed on the vulnerability of two girls who were under the influence of alcohol in the early hours following a night out in Sunderland city centre.
The driver purported to be taking the girls home, but instead took them to an area where they were both sexually assaulted.
One of the females managed to call police and officers attended the area, where Uddin’s vehicle was stopped and he was arrested.
These are absolutely appalling crimes which were terrifying experiences for the two girls involved, and I’d like to commend them for their bravery in speaking with police, and throughout the investigation and court proceedings.
There’s absolutely no place in our communities for this behaviour and we welcome today’s verdict, which sends out a clear message that the actions of offenders such as Uddin will not be tolerated.”
