Hamza Badat, 43, sentenced to eight years in prison after raping a woman more than five years ago

A 43-year-old man has been jailed for raping a woman more than five years ago.

Hamza Badat, formerly of Levington Road, Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court today where he was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Last month he was found guilty of rape after a five-day trial.

The incident occurred on October 25, 2018.

The then 22-year-old victim visited a mutual friend’s house with friends that evening, where she met Badat.

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He later dragged the victim into a bedroom and raped her.

The victim and Badat did not know each other before the day of the attack.

Badat was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

DC Damian Richer, the investigating officer, said: “This attack on a vulnerable woman was a despicable act that the victim had to live with.”

“In her impact statement, she said she will ‘carry this with me like a nail in my back, with no choice’.”

“The victim has shown incredible courage and strength and has been forced to wait an incredibly long time due to a series of adjournments that were beyond his control.

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“I hope that the sentence handed down to Badat will bring her some comfort and I would like to thank the Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) who supported the victim throughout this process.”

“I am also grateful to the witnesses who gave their evidence and led to the conviction of this man, who will now have to spend several years behind bars reflecting on his actions and the destruction he has caused.

“I hope this outcome underlines our commitment to prosecuting sex offenders and encourages all other victims of this type of crime to come forward.”