Afghan Migrant Receives 10-Year Sentence for Rape of Vulnerable Woman
An Afghan migrant has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for the rape of a vulnerable and intoxicated woman in Southampton. Musafar Hotak, 25, was convicted at Southampton Crown Court for rape and sexual assault by penetration, following an incident in the early hours of 12 July 2022.
Details of the Attack and Victim's Impact
The court heard that the victim had been asked to leave the Cafe Parfait bar in Southampton due to intoxication. As she attempted to contact her girlfriend, Hotak, who was 22 at the time, began following her. A voicemail sent from the victim's phone captured her telling him to stop. The victim later woke up in Hotak's home, where he sexually assaulted and raped her, using significant force despite her repeated pleas to stop.
In her personal impact statement, the victim expressed profound trauma, stating, "Since that day I have lived in fear, shame, silence and unbearable pain that I can't fully describe." She detailed how the attack led to self-harm and a suicide attempt, adding, "What happened to me destroyed my life in ways I never thought possible. I didn't just feel violated, I felt erased." The victim now lives in constant fear, with scars affecting every aspect of her life.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
After escaping, the victim contacted police, and DNA evidence from a swab matched Hotak. Judge Gary Lucie sentenced Hotak to a 10-year prison term, with a four-year extended period on licence. An indefinite restraining order was imposed, prohibiting contact with the victim, and Hotak was placed on the sex offenders register. Judge Lucie noted that Hotak took advantage of the victim's intoxication, causing severe psychological impact likely to last a lifetime.
Hotak will be deported from the UK upon completing his sentence, as confirmed by a Home Office spokesman who stated, "All foreign national offenders who receive a prison sentence of over 12 months are automatically referred for deportation at the earliest opportunity." The spokesman emphasized that the UK will not tolerate foreign criminals committing crimes, with efforts to scale up deportations.
Support Resources
For those feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal, support is available through Samaritans at 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, individuals can contact their local Samaritans branch or call 1 (800) 273-TALK.
