Yorkshire rapist sentenced to 20 years after threatening victim and family

In a case heard at Sheffield Crown Court, Farman Ali was convicted of multiple rapes and of attempting to silence his complainant by threatening her and her parents with murder if she withdrew her police complaint. After learning the victim had reported him, Ali located her and dictated messages that forced her to claim she no longer wanted to support the prosecution. The victim, whose identity remains protected, continued to cooperate with South Yorkshire Police, leading to Ali’s conviction and a 20-year sentence imposed by Judge David Dixon, who praised her courage.

Two accomplices, Zarina Zarina and Saadia Mohammad, received three years and two months each for their roles. Defense solicitor Andrew Petterson asked the court to consider Ali’s lack of prior convictions, but the judge dismissed any leniency. Detective Constable Peter Bazley thanked the victim for her strength and affirmed the police’s commitment to pursuing sexual-violence cases.