Man jailed for drugging and abusing a woman in Blackburn and Colne

He'd even filmed some of the abuse on his own mobile phone

Published 5th Sep 2017

A man has been jailed for life, with a minimum of eight years, for drugging and raping a woman in Blackburn and Colne.

Zulfiqar Asif, who's 38 and Nelson, was found guilty following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

The offences happened between the end of 2014 and February this year, at two different addresses, where Asif drugged his victim to make her unconscious, before raping her.

On several occasions he even filmed the abuse on his own mobile phone, which was later seized and used as evidence during his trial.

Despite consistently denying his guilt, the jury found him guilty of one count of administering a noxious substance, three counts of rape and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour.

DC Melissa Chadwick, who led the investigation, said: “Asif is a dangerous individual who manipulated a vulnerable woman and abused her in the most horrific way.

“I am grateful to the jury for considering all the evidence and coming to the conclusion they did. A predatory sex offender has been taken off the streets and it will be at least eight years before he can even be considered for parole.

“I hope the fact Asif is now behind bars will enable the victim to move forward with her life.”