Cowardly rapist jailed after trying to get victim to drop charges

A rapist who tried to force his victim to drop the charges against him has been jailed for more than 16 years.

Waqar Lal subjected the woman, who was known to him, to a terrifying attack in Derby in December 2023, raping and assaulting her.

After the woman reported the matter to police Lal, formerly of Rose Hill Street, Derby, was charged and a trial date was set in December 2024.

But as the trial moved closer Lal, in a desperate attempt to evade justice, contacted his victim and threatened her in an attempt to get her to withdraw her complaint.

She bravely reported those attempts to police – and he was further charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Following a trial, in which his victim again stood up to Lal and told Derby Crown Court of how he had violently raped her, he was found guilty of two counts of rape, one count of assault and once count of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

At the same court on Friday 31 January the 36-year-old was jailed for 16 years and 10 months – with his minimum sentence extended to 11 years and 10 months due to danger he poses to the public.

He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Detective Staff Investigator David Wright, who helped bring Lal to justice, said: “The sentence passed reflects the severity of the offences and it is pleasing to know that Waqar Lal will serve a minimum term into double figures before eligible for parole.

“I would like to thank the victim in this case for her bravery and courage in coming forward to police and seeing it through to trial; something which Waqar Lal clearly did not bank on. 

“On top of committing these abhorrent crimes against the victim, he showed cowardice and intimidating behaviour by trying to get her to drop the charges.

“The judge rightly pointed out that these offences plus his previous convictions show that he is a danger to women as was reflected in the pre-sentence reports.

“I would also like to thank my colleague DC Archer who led the investigation before me, and the CPS prosecutor Sarah Knight who was outstanding in handling the case at court and supporting the victim.”