Portsmouth police praise Southsea rape victim's 'bravery and courage'

Senior police officers spoke out after Muhib Uddin was jailed yesterday.

As reported, Muhib Uddin, 31, of Newcomen Road in Stamshaw, was jailed for six years at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He admitted raping a 19-year-old woman in an alleyway off Clarendon Road in Southsea on August 29 at around 10pm.

In a statement she told the court she had been ‘destroyed’.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Emma Crute said: ‘We are pleased that the victim has found justice now that Uddin is behind bars.

‘I hope the outcome of this case reassures members of the public that we take allegations of this type of offence extremely seriously, and will do everything in our power to bring offenders before the courts.

‘This has understandably been a traumatic time for the victim who has been supported by specialist officers at every stage of our investigation. I would like to commend her for her bravery and courage in coming forward and reporting what happened.

‘I hope that (yesterday’s) sentence will give her some closure and help her to begin moving forward in her life.’

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Portsmouth chief inspector Robert Mitchell added: ‘The officers involved in this case have worked extremely hard to bring the investigation to the point we have reached today.

‘I would like to thank them for their dedication to securing this outcome for the victim.

‘Stranger assaults of this nature are rare, and I hope the community feels reassured that when we receive these sorts of allegations, we will take them seriously and do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

‘We work very hard in Portsmouth to tackle sexual offences in partnership with organisations that support survivors. We want you to have the confidence to come forward and talk to us if something has happened to you, or somebody you know.’

Get support

For support, call Parcs office on (023) 9266 9613.

Alternatively, e-mail [email protected] or call the women’s line on (023) 9266 9511 or men’s line on (023) 9266 9516.

See parcs.org.uk for more.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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