armed rapist who attacked woman in park jailed after calling 999 to 'confess'

A rapist who threatened a woman with a gun before sexually assaulting her in a park has been jailed for 14 years.

Usama Al-Sari,28,targeted the woman on September 9 and forced her into Heaton Mersey Park,Stockport,where he raped her.

She managed to run away and call the police. Al-Sari then made his own 999 call saying he wanted to ‘turn himself in’ and was arrested within an hour.

But his confession immediately downplayed the attack as an ‘attempted rape’ and sought to minimise his own responsibility by blaming his actions on a ‘compulsion’.

Voice full of self-pity,he begins his account of the harrowing assault by talking about his own supposed suffering.

When the operator asks him to ‘tell me what exactly has happened’,Al-Sari says: ‘So erm,I’ve been suffering with compulsion for a while and basically gave in.

‘I have a pellet gun and I forced – tried to force this girl to,you know,do things. I wouldn’t have done anything with the pellet gun – it’s not even loaded.

‘But she ran away.’

Al-Sari eventually pleaded guilty to rape,sexual assault,intent to commit a sexual offence,possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence,making a threat to kill and possession of a Class B drug.

He will serve 14 years in prison and an additional eight years on license. He will also be subject to an indefinite restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Al-Sari eventually pleaded guilty to rape,possession of an imitation firearm and other offences (Picture: GMP)

Read more here.

Greater Manchester Police also signposted the following organisations which support survivors:

– Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre,Manchester provides a comprehensive and co-ordinated response to men,women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations,practical and emotional support as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

– Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information,support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email [email protected]

– Survivors Manchester provides specialist trauma informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse,rape or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.