SHAFIULLAH ZAHID SENTENCED TO SEVEN AND A HALF YEARS IN PRISON IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR PREDATORY RAPE

A man described as 'predatory' has been sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after luring a woman into his van and repeatedly raping her. Shafiullah Zahid, 33, of Sirdar Road, Southampton, approached the woman who was alone after a night out in Southampton, striking up a conversation with her.

Southampton Crown Court heard that Zahid offered the woman a lift home. Instead of taking her directly home, he drove her to an unknown location and committed the assault inside his vehicle. Zahid pleaded not guilty, but after a trial, he was found guilty of two counts of rape.

Detective Constable Sue Hampton commended the victim's bravery, stating, "I would like to commend the woman’s courage for doing what she did and reporting the incident to the police. With her help, we have been able to identify a man whose behavior we can only describe as predatory."

She added, "From the start, Zahid completely disregarded his crime and has shown no regard for the impact he has had on this woman. We want to show you that regardless of circumstances, Hampshire Constabulary is committed to supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault, and we will do everything possible to identify offenders and ensure they are brought to justice."

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesperson urged victims to report sexual assaults promptly, saying, "If you’ve been the victim, please report rape or sexual assault as soon as possible. Even if you’re not 100 percent sure, we’d rather hear from you so we can make sure you’re safe."

The spokesperson further explained, "If you're not ready to talk to the police right now, that’s okay. There are various organizations where you can receive confidential support, advice, and medical help. What you share with them won’t be shared with the police unless you ask for it."