Oxford News
Oxford rapist who fled to Iraq is jailed for 13 years
Salam Karis, 35, was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Friday after an incident at a towpath near Hythe Bridge Street on January 19, 2014.
The court heard he fled the country after being granted bail, and only returned to the UK in a small boat from Iraq in July last year.
He was convicted by a jury of three counts of rape at a trial earlier this year of raping the woman after they had been at The Bridge Nightclub and Anuba which was part of the same set-up.
The court heard the woman had been visiting a friend in Oxford at the time of the incident after travelling up from Brighton.
The woman told the jury that her friend had just turned 18 and they were planning to go out.
READ MORE: Oxford Big Issue seller remembered for his ‘kindness’
After being given drinks at the club by Karis and others, she was led away from the club towards the canal towpath and a wooded area and raped.
The victim, now 32, read out an impact statement in court. She said: “I was driven two hours in a police car to a rape crisis centre in Milton Keynes.
“The examination was deeply humiliating. I felt like a lab rat. I’m haunted by the memory of the forensic examination.
“I could not have imagined justice would take this long. After the incident I was emotionally derailed and emotionally unstable.
“I’ve always been a very strong woman. Despite this, I have suffered with vulnerability.
“For years, I have experienced random panic attacks. The defendant skipped bail and fled the country illegally.
“Bail should never have been given in the first place, the justice system failed me. I have spent 12 years trying to heal from something that should never have happened.
“I hope justice will prevail.”
The court heard that Karis initially came to the UK when he was 17 in 2008 from war-torn Iraq. Also that he has no previous convictions.
In mitigation, that court heard that Karis continues to deny that the offences were committed by him, but was sorry for the impact on the victim.
Judge Maria Lamb said: “12 years ago, in the dark and in the rain on a towpath by the canal, you raped the victim.
“You were convicted unanimously of your crimes. She was able to say ‘no’ and she said it more than once and you ignored her.
“It’s clear the impact on her has been devastating. You ran away to escape the consequences of your crimes.
“She has suffered from severe psychological harm.”
Karis was jailed for 13 years and given an indefinite restraining order to not contact the victim.
He was also put on the sex offenders’ register for life.
With the hot weather returning to the UK this week, West Oxfordshire District Council has warned some bin collections may be brought forward to earlier in the day.
The authority says this will allow crews to carry out their work safely while avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Temperatures are expected to climb back up to 30C on select days next week, with the government issuing a heat health warning.
READ MORE: Iconic RAF base to help Red Arrows special tour of America
A spokesman for the council said: “To ensure your waste is collected, we kindly ask residents to place their bins out the night before their scheduled collection day, or by no later than 6am.
“You can check your collection day online: https://www.westoxon.gov.uk/…/check-your-collection-day/
“These temporary changes are determined by our waste contractor and are typically introduced during prolonged periods of high temperatures.
“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping to keep our crews safe during warmer weather.”
An amber heat warning has been issued by the Met Office, scheduled for Monday, June 22 from 1am until 23.59pm on Tuesday, June 23.
The Met Office said: “Adverse health effects are likely to be experienced by those vulnerable to extreme heat”.
The forecaster also said motorists may see delays on roads plus anyone travelling by rail or air could also find journeys take longer.
The Refugee Flag was flown at Witney Town Hall to mark World Refugee Day.
Mayor Councillor Jane Doughty and Deputy Mayor Councillor Sandra Simpson raised the flag in support of refugees living in Witney and around the world.
World Refugee Day is observed annually on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution.
In an online post, Witney Town Council said: “This morning, the Mayor, Cllr Jane Doughty, and the Deputy Mayor, Cllr Sandra Simpson, raised the Refugee Flag at the Town Hall, marking World Refugee Day.
“The flag is raised every year on the flagpole as a gesture of solidarity with the refugee community here in Witney and across the world.”
Najeebullah Arab, of Mayfield Avenue, Grove, was today (Friday, June 19) sentenced at Oxford Crown Court to 10 years and 11 months’ imprisonment, an extended licence period of six years, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years and a lifetime restraining order for his victims.
The 40-year-old Afghan national pleaded guilty to sexually communicating with the 14-year-old child in May 2024.
READ MORE: Afghan man jailed for violent sexual offences in Wantage
He was on court bail for that offence when he sexually assaulted a woman in her 20s in January this year and, less than a week after that, sexually assaulted, kidnapped and raped a 19-year-old woman in Wantage.
Senior investigating officer detective chief inspector Stuart May of the Thames Valley Police said: “Firstly, I want to pay tribute to the victims in this case, whose courage in coming forward has been vital in securing justice.
“They were rightly described as heroes by HHJ Nott during today’s sentencing.
“Arab is a dangerous sexual predator who targeted women and subjected them to traumatic and violent offences.
READ MORE: Major A34 traffic as road partially CLOSED due to crash
“His actions have had a lasting impact on his victims, and it is right that he will now spend a significant period of time behind bars.
“This sentence reflects the seriousness of his crimes and ensures he can no longer pose a risk to the public.
“I hope this outcome provides some reassurance to the victims and the wider community that offenders like Arab will be brought to justice.”
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoRyan Bridge speaks of London arrest after Oxford incident
-
Oxford News3 weeks agoOxfordshire families invited to free day of fun in Bicester
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoNew video call system to help domestic abuse victims
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoOxfordshire Lib Dems lose another councillor amid ‘serious concerns’
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoPhotos as 1979 Pontiac Firebird ‘bursts in flames’ at Tesco
-
Business & Technology3 weeks agoNew ‘high-quality’ mushroom business launched in Oxford
-
Business & Technology4 weeks agoNHS IT outages disrupt 274,620 patient interactions
-
Student Life3 weeks agoTransgender rights protest in central Oxford following updated EHRC guidance