Man jailed 20 years after raping woman

A man who raped a woman more than 20 years ago during an abusive relationship where he would slap, punch and pinch her has been jailed.

Amar Khan and his victim were both in their early 20s when the attack took place, after a picnic when he tried to pressure her into having sex with him.

After an investigation by Operation Stovewood - the National Crime Agency's (NCA) inquiry into historic sexual abuse allegations in Rotherham - Khan, 42, was found guilty of rape and sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court earlier.

Khan, of Sheffield, was jailed for six-and-a-half years and must sign the sex offenders' register upon his release.

The court heard that Khan became physically and verbally abusive after having known the woman for about a year.

After he tried to have sex with her at the picnic, she ran away but Khan caught her then raped her.

Senior investigator Kath Blain, from the NCA's Operation Stovewood, said: "When the victim first met Khan he showed no signs of being violent, however after gaining the woman's trust Khan became abusive and that behaviour quickly escalated to sexual violence."

The NCA began an investigation in 2022 after it identified the woman was a victim of rape in the course of separate inquiries.

Khan was charged in February 2024 and sentenced on the same day he was found guilty.

Ms Blain said: "Our evidence and the victim's brave testimony has resulted in Khan being convicted more than 20 years after he committed his crime."

She added: "I urge anyone who has been raped or sexually abused, at any time in their life, to report it to the police, who are ready and waiting to help."

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