Ansar Younis, 41, of Hatherley Road, Sheffield, has been jailed for raping an unconscious woman in Sheffield city centre while four girls pleaded with him to stop. The attack occurred on September 20 last year at around 1am on a street in the city centre.
Conviction and sentence
Younis was found guilty at Sheffield Crown Court after a trial at the end of March. He was sentenced to nine years in prison on July 2. The victim was taken to hospital for her injuries after witnesses called emergency services. An early evidence kit to provide forensic evidence of the rape was completed at the hospital, South Yorkshire Police said.
Bravery of witnesses
The four girls who witnessed the assault challenged Younis and pleaded with him to stop, but he ignored them. They then started filming the attack, providing what police described as vital evidence. Detective Constable Sophie Windle, the officer in charge of the case, said: "This was a horrific attack against a woman who did not and could not consent. Rather than talk about the man who carried out this sick act, I would like to recognise the bravery of the four girls who intervened to record the offence, providing evidence that was absolutely instrumental at trial."
She added: "Sheffield District Commander Jamie Henderson thanked the girls following the incident, and I would like to add my thanks now that justice has been served. These girls were upstanders, not bystanders. As soon as they realised what was happening they stepped in and they have helped put a rapist behind bars."
Younis was arrested on the same day as the attack and gave "no comment" answers in his interview. He was charged with rape and remanded into custody. He pleaded not guilty but was convicted after the trial.
