Middlesbrough man’s jail term increased for rape of two women

A student who raped two women in separate attacks within an hour of each other has had his prison sentence increased by the Court of Appeal.

Haider Ali, 31, who lived in Middlesbrough, will now serve 15 years in prison after judges found his original 10-year sentence was “too lenient”.

Ali raped the two women in separate late night attacks in Stockton last September, with Lord Justice Popplewell describing them as “lengthy ordeals that brought degradation and humiliation and caused the women severe psychological harm”.

Helen, one of the women attacked, said she thought the original sentence was a “disgrace and an absolute joke”.

She said it was barely a punishment for the horrendous violence he had inflicted on two innocent women.

“It’s absolutely terrible. It was far too lenient,” Helen said.

Cleveland Police praised the two women’s “bravery and courage” for reporting the attacks and helping bring Ali to justice.

Ali was a computer games student at Teesside University when he attacked both women by the side of a derelict building at about midnight on 7 September.

The court heard Ali followed a woman to the back of a disused building, before raping her.

The attack lasted almost an hour.

Shortly after, Ali raped a second woman on Yarm Road, and was captured on CCTV running away before the victim, who was pregnant, called the police.

Ali initially denied the charges, claiming the sex was consensual, but was convicted following a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

The case was referred to the Court of Appeal under the unduly lenient sentencing scheme.

Solicitor General Lucy Rigby KC MP said: “This was a truly horrific case, and I want to commend the brave victims who came forward to put Haider Ali behind bars.

“I strongly welcome the Court’s decision to extend this offender’s prison term.”