A former actor from the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks has been sentenced to more than 11 years in prison after being convicted of raping two women and committing child cruelty.
A Catalogue of Violent Offences
Rizwan Khan, 40, from Middlesbrough, was found guilty at Teesside Crown Court in August on multiple charges, including two counts of rape, one count of sexual assault, and causing unnecessary suffering to a child. The court heard harrowing details of his attacks on two women, during which he demonstrated a pattern of controlling and violent behaviour.
One victim was raped by Khan after she repeatedly refused to have sex with him. He told her, 'I need what I need. I want what I want. You, as a woman, should abide by what a man wants'. The woman later told police that she eventually gave in out of fear of further violence. After the rape, she managed to kick him away, but Khan then strangled her against a wall before she could escape the property.
His second victim was assaulted by Khan while she was asleep, waking up to find him attacking her. The court was told that Khan was violent towards both women, punching and slapping one of them.
A Career in the Spotlight and the Aftermath
Khan, who pursued acting from the age of 34, had roles in several well-known British television programmes. In 2019, he appeared in Hollyoaks as Doctor Peak, returning for another stint as a paramedic a year later. His acting credits also included parts in Holby City, ITV's Vera, and the film Everybody's Talking About Jamie in 2021.
During the sentencing, the court heard victim impact statements. One woman described suffering from anxiety and recurrent nightmares, stating that the ordeal 'goes round and round in my head' and that seeing Khan's face in the newspaper makes her feel sick.
Despite the convictions, Khan continues to deny the offences. His defence barrister, Andrew Stranex, told the court it would be 'quite bizarre' for his client to admit guilt after standing trial.
Sentencing and Lifetime Consequences
Judge Paul Reid, presiding over the case, noted that a pre-sentence report stated Khan 'demonstrates entitlement and hostility towards females'.
Khan was sentenced to a total of 11 years and 9 months in prison. In addition to his jail term, he has been ordered to sign the sex offenders' register for life and is subject to restraining orders prohibiting contact with his three victims.
The father-of-one, who previously claimed on his IMDb profile to be an advocate for mental health and those falsely accused, stood emotionless in the dock as his sentence was delivered.
