Former Hollyoaks actor Rizwan Khan has been handed a substantial prison term of 11 years and nine months after being convicted of a series of violent and sexual crimes against two women and a child.
The Sentencing and Courtroom Drama
Appearing at Teesside Crown Court on Monday, the actor stood emotionless as his sentence was delivered. Khan, who had denied all charges against him, was found guilty earlier this year of raping two women, sexually assaulting one of his victims, and slapping a child in the face during separate incidents.
Prosecutor Robin Turton read out harrowing victim impact statements to the court. One victim revealed she suffers from anxiety and nightmares, stating, "What he did goes round and round in my head." She added, "When I see his face in the newspaper, I feel sick."
Chilling Details of the Attacks
The court heard disturbing details of Khan's actions. In one incident, he told his victim, "I need what I need. I want what I want. You, as a woman, should abide by what a man wants." After the woman said no, he raped her.
The prosecutor described how Khan had been violent with the woman before demanding sex, allegedly slapping and punching her, throwing her on a bed, and strangling her. Another victim reported that Khan raped her after she rejected his sexual advances at 3am when she was tired and had work the next morning.
Aftermath and Lifetime Orders
Despite the convictions, Khan's defence barrister, Andrew Stranex, stated his client continued to deny the allegations. Judge Paul Reid, however, noted that Khan's pre-sentence report said he "demonstrate[s] entitlement and hostility towards females."
In addition to the prison sentence, the actor, from Union Street in Middlesbrough, has been made subject to several lifetime orders. He must sign the sex offenders register for life and is now under a sexual harm prevention order. Restraining orders have also been imposed, preventing him from contacting his victims.
Khan gained recognition for his roles in Hollyoaks in 2019 as Doctor Peak and later as a paramedic. He also appeared in the 2021 film Everybody's Talking About Jamie and had roles in This England, Vera, and Holby City.
