Hamed Kianipanah

Hamed Kianipanah, a 34-year-old man originally from the Stockton area, was convicted at Teesside Crown Court of raping a vulnerable woman in 2022. Described as manipulative and a domestic abuser, Kianipanah targeted the victim to satisfy his sexual needs while his asylum application was being processed and he lived apart from his wife.

Dr Christopher Wood, prosecuting, detailed how Kianipanah befriended the victim, who suffered from several medical conditions, and entered a consensual relationship with her. The rape occurred just before they were due to attend a party, after she had handed over a large sum of money to him. Throughout the brutal attack, Kianipanah repeatedly insisted to the victim that the sex was consensual, causing devastating impact on her life.

Kianipanah, now of Brook Road, Brent, London, was found guilty of a single count of rape following a trial. Robert Mochrie, mitigating, highlighted that his client was of previous good character and continues to deny the offence. Judge Jonathan Carrol imposed a 12-year extended sentence in July 2024, comprising nine years in custody followed by three years on licence. Kianipanah was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.

The case was prosecuted with involvement from North Yorkshire Police, as covered by The Northern Echo, underscoring the severity of the offence against a vulnerable individual.