SAYED MIH, LONDON MAN, SENTENCED FOR RAPE IN NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS AFTER 14 YEARS

A man aged 44, identified as Sayed Miah, has been handed a 12-year prison sentence after being convicted of raping a teenage girl in Newton-le-Willows over a decade ago. The sentencing took place at Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, 20 February, following a jury's unanimous verdict of guilt. In addition to his prison term, Miah will be required to sign the Sex Offender Register for life, marking the severity of his conviction.

According to court records, Miah, who resides on Commercial Road in London, committed the assault in 2011 while living in Newton-le-Willows. The victim, then 15 years old, was walking through an area locally known as “the dingle” when she was attacked. Despite a comprehensive investigation at the time, authorities were unable to bring the perpetrator to justice due to insufficient evidence.

The case remained unresolved for years until 2021, when Miah was arrested in London on unrelated charges. During his arrest, a DNA sample was collected, which later matched the evidence from the 2011 rape case. This breakthrough allowed Merseyside Police to link him conclusively to the crime, leading to his arrest and subsequent charges.

Detective Constable Alex Fowler expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, “I hope this sentencing demonstrates that time is no obstacle when it comes to investigating crimes. Even after 14 years, we have been able to establish Miah’s culpability for that terrible day.” He further praised the victim’s bravery and the relentless efforts of Merseyside Police in securing justice. “This court ruling is only possible thanks to her courage and the dedication of our team,” he added.

Detective Constable Fowler emphasized the police force’s commitment to safeguarding children from sexual abuse and those who seek to harm them, reaffirming their ongoing dedication to protecting vulnerable members of the community.