'Sexual predator' who raped woman twice in Peterborough jailed for 18 years

Abbas Abbass, 40, approached the victim at about 2am on December 17 last year when she was walking on Bridge Street and began asking her where she was going and whether she wanted him to order a taxi.

She said she didn’t need one but Abbass started asking her if she was single and tried to kiss her, despite being asked to go away.

Abbass left but CCTV showed him following her from a distance as she continued walking along Bridge Street in the direction of Town Bridge.

When she got to the bridge, she suddenly felt unwell and dizzy, and as she continued along Oundle Road Abbass caught up with her and raped her twice in the nearby recreation ground.

He ordered a taxi and took her back to his home in Raedwald Court, Millfield, Peterborough.

The victim awoke the following morning scared and confused, and pretended to be asleep in the hope Abbass would leave her alone, but he began touching her and sexually assaulted her.

She continued to pretend to be asleep, however, when she realised he wasn’t going to stop, she opened her eyes and pushed him away.

Abbass began making small talk, acting like nothing had happened, but she got up, collected her belongings and left before calling a friend who took her to Thorpe Wood Police Station.

On Wednesday (November 16), at Cambridge Crown Court, Abbass was jailed after being found guilty of two counts rape and assault by penetration.

He will spend a further six years on licence and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period.

Detective Constable Jake Owen said: “Abbass is a dangerous sexual predator who carried out multiple sexual assaults on the victim, leaving lasting trauma.

“I am pleased we have managed to help put a callous sex offender behind bars and I would like to commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward and supporting us with a prosecution.”

For support and more information visit the force's rape and serious sexual offences advice page.