Man jailed for rape in Whitechapel

Shohid Miah, 34, of Kings Arms Court, Whitechapel, was sentenced to five years and four months behind bars at Snarebrook Crown Court yesterday.

At 10.30pm on April 2015 he noticed a visibly drunk woman and followed her before eventually approaching her and leading her to a secluded area in Old Montague Street.

Police were called by CCTV monitoring staff who had been tracking his movement and he was found minutes later adjusting his trousers while the victim, in her 20s, lay in obvious distress on the floor.

Miah was arrested on suspicion of rape but refused to answer questions, instead providing a prepared statement claiming the victim had propositioned him.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of rape last week.

Det Con Denise Rutter, of the Met’s Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command, said: “Miah stalked the victim through the streets of Whitechapel waiting for an opportunity to take advantage of her vulnerable condition.

“The victim in this case has been incredibly brave throughout this investigation and I hope that this conviction provides her with a measure of comfort and that the sentence handed down encourages other victims of sexual crime not to suffer in silence, but to come forward.”

Anyone who thinks they may be a victim of a sexual offence should contact the Sexual Offences Exploitation and Child Abuse Command by dialling 101.

In an emergency always dial 999.