A POLICE detective has commended the bravery of a young woman in coming forward and reporting ‘a truly awful crime’, after a fast food delivery driver was jailed for rape.
Naiem Malik Suleman, 52, of no fixed address, offered the 22-year-old a lift in his car after she had separated from friends on a night out in Coventry.
But instead of taking her home, he raped her in the early hours of January 19 last year.
Later when she arrived home she was wearing a jacket with the logo of the delivery firm Suleman worked for. She also had bruising round her neck and scrapes and scratches on her knees.
DC Becci Jones, from West Midlands Police’s Public Protection Unit, said: “This was a truly awful crime committed against a young woman on a night out.
“But it is down to the bravery of that young woman in coming forward and reporting it to us that Suleman is now locked up.
“Despite having to face him during the trial she has remained courageous and dignified throughout, with our specially trained officers able to support her during both the police investigation and the court case.
“We hope this sentencing brings her some closure and wish her well for the future.”
Suleman denied rape but forensic evidence from her clothes linked him to the crime and he was convicted in November.
On Monday (February 1) he was jailed for nine years and six months at Warwick Crown Court and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.
If you have been sexually assaulted or raped, West Midlands Police can give you specialist help and advice. See here for further information.
