Man Jailed for 10 Years for Raping Woman He Had Been Harassing in Southampton

A 25-year-old man has been jailed for 10 years after being found guilty of raping a woman he had been harassing during a night out in Southampton.

Musafar Hotak, an Afghan national who lived in Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, approached the 24-year-old victim on 12 July 2022 while she was trying to find her partner. He claimed he knew her partner and offered to help reunite them. Instead, he led her to his home, where he ignored her repeated pleas to stop and sexually assaulted and raped her. The victim eventually managed to push him away and flee the property.

In a statement to the court, the victim described the devastating impact of the attack:

“My life has been destroyed in ways I never thought possible, something me shattered. I was living in fear, shame, silence, and unbearable pain that I still can’t fully describe. I was left feeling broken, empty, and terrified of the world around me. I had lost every piece of myself, and it felt like there was no way back. I felt like a stranger in my own skin. Before this, I was full of life. But following the attack, it’s exhausting to live in constant fear. This has left scars on every part of my life. I’ve been surviving it every day since.”

Hotak had initially left the country after the assault, and forensic samples taken at the time could only lead to his arrest when he returned to the UK in 2024. He denied the charges but was found guilty following a trial at Southampton Crown Court last month.

Alongside his prison sentence, Hotak will be placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is subject to a restraining order.

Detective Constable Laura Cook, who led the investigation, said:

“We are pleased to see Hotak behind bars for what he has done. Reducing violence against women and girls is a priority for us, and this case shows our determination to pursue offenders and protect victims. This has been a long and incredibly difficult journey for the victim, and her courage in coming forward and supporting the investigation has been truly commendable. I also want to recognise the dedication of the wider investigations team, whose hard work and professionalism throughout this case helped ensure that a dangerous offender has been brought to justice. I hope today’s outcome brings the victim some sense of closure after everything she has endured.”

Anyone affected by sexual abuse or any crime of a sexual nature is encouraged to contact police on 101 to speak with an officer in confidence.

For more information on how to report crimes or details of support services, visit the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary website. Those impacted can also contact the Victim Care Hub on 0808 178 1641 or via Hub.hiow@victimsupport.org.uk, Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm. Outside these hours, or if living outside Hampshire, victims can call 0808 168 9111 or visit the Victim Support website.