A man who raped a woman after she left a Southampton nightclub has today been sentenced for his horrific crimes – after trying to blame his actions on a family member.

Musafar Hotak, 25, was jailed for 10 years at Southampton Crown Court after being found guilty of raping a woman in her 20s on July 12, 2022.

The victim, who had become separated from friends during a night out, was under the influence of alcohol and in a vulnerable state when Hotak approached her in a nearby park.

Prosecutors reviewed CCTV footage, which captured Hotak leading the woman away from the city centre to a family member’s flat where he was staying at the time.

He then raped her despite her repeatedly telling him to stop in a violent and terrifying assault.

Hotak would later try and deny responsibility by claiming a relative had raped the victim.

Elizabeth Medland, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “This was a terrifying and traumatic attack on a young woman who was only trying to get home safely after a night out with friends.

“Musafar Hotak exploited her, ignored her protests, and violated her when she was unable to protect herself.

“My thoughts are with the victim in this case, whose powerful witness testimony was instrumental in securing a conviction.

“Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of Hotak’s crimes and sends a clear message that the CPS will work tirelessly to prosecute rapists who prey on women.”

Building the case

The victim managed to escape the flat moments after the attack and was able to seek help from a passer-by before calling 999.

She was then taken to a Sexual Assault Referral Centre, where forensic swabs were obtained.

It wasn’t until more than two years later that the DNA was matched to Musafar Hotak, when he was being investigated for other criminal matters.

Hotak initially claimed he was not the man seen in the CCTV footage, and instead tried to blame members of his family - but investigators ruled out everyone else he named.

He later admitted it was him in the footage and accepted the DNA as his – before changing his defence entirely, later claiming that that he had consensual sex with the victim.

Our prosecutors were able to prove otherwise after reviewing a file of evidence which included a powerful victim impact statement, CCTV and other eyewitness accounts.