A man who left his victim living in constant fear has been sentenced to six years in prison and will be automatically deported from the United Kingdom. Jose Sibi appeared at Teesside Crown Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of rape and two counts of attempted rape.
Details of the Offences and Impact
Jose Sibi, aged 46 and of no fixed abode, committed the offences on Teesside several years ago after moving to the UK from India. The court heard that the defendant was a man of previous good character prior to these crimes.
In a powerful victim impact statement shared with the court, the woman described the profound and lasting trauma inflicted by Sibi. She revealed she can no longer sleep at night and lives every day in fear, with intrusive thoughts disrupting her once-enjoyable pastimes like reading. "I am determined to come out of this as a strong person and put this behind me," she stated, demonstrating her resilience in the face of the ordeal.
The Sentencing and Mitigation
Judge Anthony Hawks presided over the hearing at Teesside Crown Court on January 8, 2026. He acknowledged aspects of Sibi's mitigation, including a developed drinking problem and the fact he ultimately entered guilty pleas, albeit at a later stage in proceedings. The judge noted that "pleas of guilty at any stage are to be encouraged."
However, the severity of the crimes demanded a significant custodial term. Sibi was sentenced to a total of six years imprisonment. In addition to the jail term, he was placed on the sex offenders register for life and made subject to a restraining order prohibiting contact with the victim.
Automatic Deportion Order
The most significant element of the sentence, beyond the prison time, was the order for removal from the country. Judge Hawks was clear about the defendant's fate upon his release. "At the two thirds stage, if not before, you will be automatically deported," he told Sibi in court.
This means the convicted rapist will be deported after serving approximately four years of his six-year sentence in a UK prison. The deportation is to be carried out automatically by the authorities, ensuring he cannot remain in the UK following his partial sentence.
