POLICE have praised the "bravery and dignity" of a woman who gave evidence in court in trial of the man who raped her in Poole.
Hasan Kyoybasha, of Ashley Road, Poole, was convicted of rape and sexual assault by penetration last month following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.
The 30-year-old was sentenced at the same court on Friday, April 8, to 15 years in prison, with an extended licence period of a further four years.
Sentencing judge Jonathan Fuller QC concluded Kyoybasha, who had claimed the sexual intercourse was consensual, was a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk to the public.
In a statement after the hearing, Detective Inspector Simon Huxter, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation team, said: “I would like to praise and commend the victim for the bravery and dignity she has shown throughout this investigation.
“The hard work by detectives and extensive searches of local CCTV enabled us to identify Kyoybasha and bring him to justice for this terrible crime.
“It is completely unacceptable for a woman to be subjected to this type of abhorrent crime and I am reassured that Kyoybasha is now facing the consequences of his actions having been brought to justice by Dorset Police and Wessex Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
“I hope this case demonstrates that offenders such as Kyoybasha will be held to account for their horrendous crimes.
“If you have been the victim of rape, sexual assault, abuse or harassment, please come forward and report it to us to allow us to carry out an investigation – we are here for you.
"Dorset Police will relentlessly pursue perpetrators who commit sexual offences and ensure those who commit such abhorrent abuse are brought to justice.
“If anyone ever has concerns for the safety of others, please do report those concerns to the police.”
As reported, in the early hours of Sunday, September 5, the victim – a woman aged in her 30s – was walking alone in the Westbourne area of Bournemouth in the direction of Poole having been on a night out with a friend.
She was approached by an unknown man on a bicycle, who was later identified as the defendant.
The man was repeatedly trying to get her attention, despite the victim telling him to leave her alone.
When the victim was in the vicinity of Poole Road in Branksome, she was raped by the man.
Following the sexual assault, she managed to flag down two members of the public at a nearby bus stop who reported the incident to Dorset Police.
An investigation was launched by Dorset Police, which included an extensive trawl of CCTV footage in the area to identify the offender. The man was seen on CCTV to follow the victim and walk alongside her.
A CCTV image was released to the public on Wednesday, September 8, and Kyoybasha was subsequently positively identified and arrested.
Forensic DNA evidence was also obtained that linked Kyoybasha to the incident.
At the sentencing hearing, the judge praised the investigating officer and a witness who had reported concerns to police after seeing the defendant's close proximity to the victim some time before the rape.
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