A manipulative and dishonest rapist, Aymal Ali, aged 38, from Willows Lane, Deane, in Bolton, was jailed for eight and a half years after luring a young woman to a secluded field attached to St Peter's Church in Bolton town centre and subjecting her to a brutal sexual assault.
The incident occurred in the early hours of 4 May 2023. Ali, who was on Bradshawgate in the town centre, spotted the young woman who had been socialising with friends and was making her way home around 3.10am. According to prosecutor Charlotte Rimmer at Bolton Crown Court, the victim needed to use the toilet and asked Ali if he knew where facilities were located. Ali, exploiting her vulnerability, claimed he did and instead led her to the isolated field.
Once there, Ali raped the woman as she drifted in and out of consciousness, without using any protection. The assault was particularly harrowing, with the victim clearly unable to consent. CCTV footage later captured Ali and the victim entering the field at approximately 3.26am and not leaving until after 5am. Following the attack, they moved to other areas of the town and then to the interchange, where the victim boarded a bus home.
The victim reported the incident to the police, prompting a thorough investigation. Officers reviewed the CCTV evidence and arrested Ali on Oxford Street in Bolton town centre. During his interview, Ali denied any sexual activity or entering the churchyard. However, DNA evidence conclusively linked him to the victim, undermining his denials.
Ali has a long history of sexual offences, including six previous convictions for offences such as sexual assault and exposure. At the time of this crime, he was already serving a suspended sentence for a prior offence. He indicated a guilty plea to rape just days before his trial was due to begin, sparing the victim from having to testify.
The court heard a poignant impact statement from the victim's mother, who described the profound devastation caused by Ali's actions. "Her innocence was taken away unwillingly. You stole that from my daughter," she said, adding that Ali had prolonged the proceedings by repeatedly changing his pleas and failing to comply with court obligations.
Defending barrister Harriet Lavin acknowledged that mitigation was extremely limited, but noted that Ali's eventual guilty plea had provided some credit by avoiding a trial for the victim. Judge Abigail Hudson, presiding over the case, emphasised the victim's extreme vulnerability and Ali's deliberate deception in tricking her into the secluded area. "After tricking her into a secluded area you raped her as she was going in and out of consciousness and clearly wasn’t consenting," the judge stated.
Judge Hudson highlighted the profound impact on the young woman's wellbeing and described Ali as presenting an ongoing danger to women generally. She noted his complete lack of insight or intention to change, branding him as entirely manipulative and dishonest. In sentencing, she imposed eight and a half years' imprisonment, with Ali required to serve at least two-thirds before parole eligibility, followed by an extended licence period of three years. Additionally, he was placed on the sexual offenders register for life.
The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court, with proceedings supported by an Arabic interpreter for Ali. Following the sentencing, Judge Hudson expressed her heartfelt wishes that the victim could now move forward with her life. Greater Manchester Police conducted the investigation.