A 43-year-old man has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the rape of a woman in Ipswich, a crime that took place over five years ago. Hamza Badat, previously living on Levington Road in Ipswich, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on May 10, where he was found guilty of the crime after a five-day trial.
The assault occurred on October 25, 2018, when the victim, then 22 years old, attended a mutual friend’s gathering. After meeting Badat, he later dragged her into a bedroom and raped her. The two were not acquainted prior to that evening.
In addition to his prison sentence, Badat has been ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Investigating officer DC Damian Richer condemned the attack, describing it as a “despicable act” that the victim continues to live with. In her impact statement, she remarked, “I will carry this with me, like a nail in the back, with no choice.”
Richer praised the victim for her incredible courage and noted the lengthy legal process, which was impacted by multiple adjournments beyond her control. He expressed hope that the sentence would provide her with some comfort and acknowledged the support of the Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) throughout her ordeal.
Richer also expressed gratitude to the witnesses whose testimonies were vital in securing the conviction, emphasizing the commitment to prosecuting sex offenders. He encouraged other victims of such offenses to come forward.