A rapist who violently attacked a series of women and a teenager in east London to “teach them a lesson” is set to be moved to an open prison.
Sunny Islam, now aged 38, was handed an indefinite sentence in 2012 for the sex attacks in which he armed himself with a knife and plastic cable ties.
Islam’s victims, one of whom was 15 years old, were traumatised after they were dragged from the street, tied up and subjected to brutal beatings at Islam's hands. Speaking of his teenage victim, Judge Patricia Lees described how he said he was going to “teach her a lesson”.
Judge's chilling words
She added: “Those words are a chilling indictment of your very troubling attitude towards all of these victims. You seem to observe women out at night as not deserving respect or protection.”
Islam’s sentence of imprisonment for public protection ran to a minimum of 11 years in prison, which expired in 2021 with time already served.
A parole board hearing has now been held behind closed doors because the thought of a public hearing reportedly caused Islam “anxiety” - despite one of Islam’s victims applying for public proceedings.
Parole board recommendation
At the hearing, the board ruled that it was not “safe” for Islam to be freed from custody, but did recommend that he be moved to an open prison.
These prisons have minimal security and allow eligible prisoners to spend most of their day away from the prison on licence for work or education.
Any release plan would involve “strict limitations” on Islam's movements and activities.
It is now up to the Secretary of State to decide whether to accept the Parole Board recommendation.
Risk factors and progress
The Parole Board described Islam as having “risk factors” which “make it more likely that Mr Islam would reoffend”, including his previous crimes and pattern of offending.
It added: “At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included thinking about sex a lot and preferring sex to include violent or controlling behaviour, thinking he had the right to have sex as and when he wanted, problems with relationships, acting on the spur of the moment without thinking adequately about the consequences, difficulties coping with stress, and not understanding the harm his actions caused to the victims.”
The published summary also said that Islam has made 'progress' while in prison, taking part in courses “to address sex offending”, and that he had “demonstrated application of relevant skills and learning while in custody”.
Full release was supported by Islam's prison officer but opposed by a psychologist and probation officer, who instead recommended the transfer to an open prison.
Attacks across east London
Islam was first caught was by police via the number plate of his girlfriend's car, after he kidnapped and raped the 15-year-old in September 2010.
He grabbed the girl from behind as she walked home with a friend and forced her into the car at knifepoint, before driving to a secluded spot and raping her twice.
After his arrest, his DNA connected him to three other attacks near Barking in east London.
Woolwich Crown Court heard that he committed a similar attack on a 20-year-old sex worker in July 2010, tying her up and repeatedly punching her in the face when she fought back.
The victim said: “He treated me like an animal and made me feel worthless - I thought I was going to die.”
Later in July in Forest Gate, he dragged a 28-year-old woman into his car and forced her to commit a sex act.
She managed to escape by kicking out the back window of his car, before rejoining friends who phoned the police.
In September 2010, a fourth victim was repeatedly punched in the face until she was bleeding and then tied up and raped twice.
She did not come forward until police found her blood in the back of the car along with a knife he used to threaten his victims and plastic ties he bound them with.
Islam was convicted of seven charges of rape, one of sexual assault and one of kidnap.
The Standard has approached the Ministry of Justice for comment.
